Robusta coffee exports from Sumatra, Indonesia’s main growing region, dropped 66% in July, reflecting drought damage from last year’s El Nino event. Sumatran robusta exports for July were 12,350 tonnes, compared to 36,644 a year ago, government data shows.
Exports were up some 3,100 tonnes from last month, thanks to a seasonal uptick in production. Robusta production across Indonesia, the world’s third largest producer, has been hurt by last year’s dry weather, and rain disruptions earlier this year also delayed the harvest.
According to the latest government data, exports from Indonesia in May were are 21,000 tonnes, well below the 5-year average of 34,000 tonnes. The USDA has forecast Indonesian exports across 2016-17 down 18% year on year, with the worst of the effects seen in Sumatra.