Detection of pesticide residue in coffee exported to Japan may impact the fortunes of the country?s coffee, even as exports slumped by 22% during April to September 15, when compared to the same period last year.
Lindane (gamma-BHC), used to combat white stem borer, was above the permissible level prescribed by the Japanese government, Coffee Board chairman GV Krishna Rao told reporters.
Rao said that there was an imperative need to completely give up the use of Lindane or its alternate Chlorpyriphos as they are banned in many countries. The short-term impact of the detection may result in a sharp drop in exports to Japan, Rao said. Last fiscal, India exported 3,000 tonne of coffee to Japan, he added.
He made it clear that the board had instructed the growers to completely avoid the usage and has made testing mandatory for issue of export permits. ?Japanese Coffee Association has been informed about the steps taken by us to prevent shipping of contaminated materials. We hope that the efforts taken by us will lessen the negative impact,? Rao said. The drop in exports (April-September 15) came from mostly re-exports (78%) while exports of Indian coffee also showed a slump of 16%.
?However, we are confident that the export target of 2.10 lakh tonne envisaged in the current fiscal can be met,? Rao said. The unit value realisation for exports has increased both in Rupee and Dollar terms. Coffee Board estimates a drop in production due to the widespread damage caused by excessive monsoon. ?Fifty three thousand growers in Wayanad and 17,000 growers in Coorg have applied for the calamity relief compensation citing crop loss,? Rao said. Coffee growers are estimating production to be lower by almost 20% from the post-blossom estimate of the board.
