USDA arm sees India year to Sept 2018 coffee crop up 5% at 5.45 million bags.

The US Agriculture Department Foreign Agricultural Services has estimated India coffee production in 2017-18 (Oct-Sep) at 5.45 million bags (1bag=60kg), up 5.4% from 5.17 million bags pegged in 2016-17 due to pre-monsoon showers in March and April that helped the setting and development of the coffee fruit. Karnataka, rains were 2% above normal in Chikmagalur during Mar 1-May 10, while in Kodagu, rains were 18% above normal and Hassan received 37% above normal rains. The yield of Robusta constitutes over 70% of the total crop, is seen slightly higher than last year due to good rainfall and availability of water for irrigation. The Arabica variety is likely to bear higher fruits than last year.

Sugar prices down in Delhi, unchanged in Mumbai.

Prices of sugar fell in the key wholesale markets of Delhi and Muzaffarnagar, because of poor demand in the market. In Delhi and Muzaffarnagar, the sweetener was sold down by nearly 20 rupees. In Mumbai, the key wholesale market of Maharashtra, prices of sugar were unchanged due to thin trade. Prices in Mumbai, however, are likely to fall in the near term due to lack of demand. On the NCDEX, the most-active June contract of sugar traded down 0.3% from the previous close.

India coffee exports during Jan 1- May 17.

The Coffee Board of India has finalised its crop estimate for 2015-16 at a record-high of 348,000 tonne, up from 327,000 tonne produced a year ago, but down from previous estimate of 350,000 tn. The board has estimated the output for 2016-17 at 316,700 MT tonne, down 9% on year.