Coffee output in Kerala may go up by 17%

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Coffee production in Kerala for 2008-09 is likely to increase by 17% compared to the previous year, according to the post-blossom estimates of the Coffee Board.

The estimate puts the production at 57,179 tonne, of which ‘Robusta’ accounts for 55,930 tonne and ‘Arabica’ accounts for 1,249 tonne, Coffee Board joint director, MC Ponanna told FE.

Kerala accounts for about 25% of the country’s coffee production and 21% of the total cultivating area.

Wayanad produces 82% of Kerala’s coffee, with the Robusta variety accounting for almost 98% of the total output.

The coffee producing regions of the state got good rains in February and the crop setting looks good, he said.

However, when compared to the pre-blossom estimate, the crop has suffered a 6.6% (3,747 tonne) decline, which is quiet normal and acceptable, he added.

Initial estimates had pegged the production at 1,326 tonne of Arabica and 59,600 tonne of Robusta.

The new crop is seen higher by almost 8,521 tonne when compared to last year’s final estimate of 48,658 tonne.

The 2007-08 crop in Kerala had come down from its post-blossom estimate due to erratic weather and the unusually high rains in the month of July.