J Thomas coffee auction volume at 57 tonne, up 32% on week.

J. Thomas & Co Pvt Ltd sold 57.0 tonne coffee out of the 193.3 tonne on offer in Bengaluru. The volume sold was 31.9% higher than the previous auction on May 18. Of the total coffee up for auction, 119.3 tonne was of the Arabica variety while 74.0 tonne was Robusta. All sections of domestic trade continued to purchase coffee only for their immediate requirement.

India coffee exports during Jan 1- May 25.

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.

Cotton body ups 2017-18 global output estimate, demand forecast unchanged.

UK-based Cotton Outlook has raised its forecast for global cotton output in 2017-18 (Aug-Jul) to 24.49 million tonne from 24.40 million tonne projected in April. Higher returns and better yields have encouraged farmers to cultivate more area under the fibre. The agency retained its estimates for global cotton consumption during the year, at 24.45 million tonne. Consequently, global stock levels are now expected to rise by 44,000 tonne, compared with a forecast of a 47,000-tn decline in April.

Pakistan import duty may dent India 2017-18 cotton exports.

Pakistan has decided to re-introduce the 4% customs duty on imports of cotton for 2017-18 (Aug-Jul), a move that has raised an alarm for India as this may hit its exports. Though it is still premature to put a number to the quantum of fall in exports, traders estimate it at 0.5-1.0 million bales (1bale=170kg), or 25-50% of this year’s exports to Pakistan. India total cotton exports to Pakistan are estimated at 1.8-2.0 million bales in 2016-17 (Oct-Sep). Import duty (in Pakistan) may have negative impact on India’s exports to the tune of 1 million bales.

Bangladesh rice prices break world record.

Bangladeshis buy the poorest quality of rice at the highest prices in the world. According to the government, a kilogramme of a coarse variety of rice is being sold at Tk 48, setting a record in the country economy. Another South Asia nation, Pakistan, stood second on the chart, but its nationals buy the same variety of rice at Tk 10 less than in Bangladesh. Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), in the past month, the price of rice has increased by 11 per cent and prices have doubled in the past one year.