Coffee production is on the rise in Colombia and Central America, where growers battle the rust fungus, said USDA in its Coffee: World Markets and Trade report. The increases will offset partially weather damage in Brazil, the No 1 producer. USDA forecast a 9 percent upturn in Colombia, the No 3 grower, to 16.2 million bags, following seven years of below-normal production due to rust and the insect losses. An aggressive tree renovation program has reduced the rust-affected area to 10 percent of trees.
The United States, the second-largest coffee consumer, is estimated to import a record 25 million bags in 2014/15 as consumption continues to rise, says USDA.