Global coffee exports dropped 0.4 percent in November 2024, says new report
The report also indicates that exports of all forms of coffee from Africa grew by 24.5 percent to 1.28 million bags in November 2024, up from 1.03 million bags in the same month of 2023
KAMPALA, January 8, 2025 — The International Coffee Organisation [ICO] has reported that global green bean exports in November 2024 totalled 9.7 million bags, compared to 9.73 million bags in the same month of the previous year, marking a decrease of 0.4 percent. The decline is primarily attributed to the performance of Robusta coffee exports.
According to the Coffee Market Report December 2024, exports of all forms of coffee from Asia and Oceania fell by 12.0 percent to 2.76 million bags in November 2024. This contraction was predominantly driven by Vietnam, where exports dropped by 47.1 percent to 1.08 million bags, down from 2.03 million bags in November 2023.
However, according to the report, the negative impact of Vietnam’s downturn was somewhat mitigated by India and Indonesia. The report shows India’s exports increased by 70.5 percent, reaching 0.74 million bags, while Indonesia saw a rise of 59.3 percent to 0.77 million bags.
The report also indicates that exports of all forms of coffee from Africa grew by 24.5 percent to 1.28 million bags in November 2024, up from 1.03 million bags in the same month of 2023. Ethiopia was the key contributor to this growth, with its exports soaring by 86.24 percent to 0.54 million bags, up from 0.29 million bags in November 2023.
“This marks 12 consecutive months of growth for Ethiopia, and the expansion in exports during the 11th month appears largely to be a result of the resolution of logistical and contractual issues from the 2022/23 coffee year—referred to as a base effect,” the report states.
Further, Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania made strong contributions to Africa’s growth, with exports increasing by 70.0 percent and 50.3 percent, respectively, to 0.05 million bags and 0.12 million bags.
The recent double-digit growth from Kenya continues a trend that saw exports increase at an average rate of 62.2 percent between July and October 2024, compared to an average growth of just 0.3 percent from January to June 2024. This shift is believed to be linked to the government’s efforts to reform the coffee sector, including a 10th June 2023 directive requiring millers to reapply for licences. This led to delays in the renewal of private millers’ licences, which affected processing capacity.
Approximately 90 percent of Kenya’s milling capacity is held by the private sector, while the largest cooperative-owned miller, New Kenya Planters Cooperative Union [NKPCU], handles less than 10 percent of the country’s milling needs. The delays in processing during the first half of 2024 may have been a result of these issues, while the recent growth in exports from July to November 2024 suggests that milling capacity constraints are being addressed.
In South America, exports of all forms of coffee increased by 6.0 percent to 6.43 million bags in November 2024. Brazil was the main driver of this growth, with its exports rising by 7.8 percent to 4.68 million bags, up from 4.34 million bags in November 2023. The positive growth in Brazil was largely sustained by Arabica exports, which increased by 12.2 percent to 3.77 million bags, compared to 3.36 million bags in November 2023. However, Robusta exports fell by 7.1 percent, marking the first downturn in 20 months.
Colombia also contributed to the positive growth in the region, with exports increasing by 8.6 percent to 1.21 million bags in November 2024, up from 1.11 million bags in November 2023. In contrast, Peru was the major negative contributor, with exports declining by 13.4 percent to 0.49 million bags, down from 0.57 million bags.
The report suggests that the downturn in Peru’s exports may be due to the country ending the 2022/23 coffee year with near-depleted stocks, which created supply stress at the start of the 2023/24 coffee year. This situation was further exacerbated by increased demand for Peruvian coffee due to supply issues in Ethiopia, leading to lower-than-expected exports from October to November 2024.
Exports of all forms of coffee from Mexico and Central America increased by 5.2 percent to 0.39 million bags in November 2024, up from 0.37 million bags in November 2023. Costa Rica and Mexico were the main contributors to this growth, with exports increasing by 405.2 percent and 15.5 percent, respectively, to 0.04 million bags and 0.2 million bags.
However, the report says Honduras and Nicaragua were the primary sources of the negative impact on the region’s growth, with exports falling by 57.3 percent and 26.3 percent, respectively, to 0.03 million bags and 0.05 million bags, compared to 0.07 million bags and 0.06 million bags in November 2023.
For Honduras, the report says, the slow start to the new coffee year is attributed to the effects of an “off year” in its biennial production cycle, which resulted in low or depleted stocks. “This, along with a delayed start to the 2024/25 harvest, may explain the decline in exports. The report notes that the downturn in exports may reflect cautious supply management in response to these challenges<” the report says.
https://thecooperator.news/global-coffee-exports-up-9-4-percent-in-march-2024/
Buy your copy of thecooperator magazine from one of our country-wide vending points or an e-copy on emag.thecooperator.news
Views: 0
