World Coffee Exports Seen Rising 5.2 Percent In June By ICO

World coffee exports climbed 5.2 percent in June from a year earlier, according to the International Coffee Organization.

Global shipments totaled 9.58 million bags of 60 kilograms (132 pounds) last month, up from 9.11 million bags in June 2011, the London-based group said in a report on its website today. Exports for the first nine months of the 2011-12 season that started in October fell 0.3 percent to 81.16 million bags.

Robusta coffee shipments rose 11 percent to 31.66 million bags for the season through June, boosted by exports from Vietnam, the biggest producer. The nation’s exports climbed 32 percent in the period to 18.3 million bags, the data showed. Arabica shipments dropped 6.2 percent to 49.5 million bags for the season so far, ICO data compiled by Bloomberg showed.

Arabica coffee is grown mainly in Latin America and favored for specialty drinks such as those made by Starbucks Corp. Robusta beans are harvested mainly in Asia and parts of Africa and are used in instant coffee and espresso.

Source: Bloomberg