Year-to-date through November 2020, Arab countries stepped up their imports of Brazilian coffee more than any other continent or economic bloc. Those countries imported 1.89 million 60-kg bags of coffee, up 12.9% year-over-year. Foreign exchange revenue came out to USD 192.7 million, marginally down 0.3%. The numbers were made public this Wednesday (9) by the Brazilian Coffee Exporters Council (Cecafé). Total exports from Brazil amounted to 39.8 million bags of coffee, up 5.7% from a year ago, with foreign exchange revenue climbing 6.7%, to USD 5 billion. Average price per bag increased by 1% to USD 126.45. Exports of Robusta coffee were up 25.7%. Arab countries took in 79.3% of all coffee shipped from Brazil. Robusta coffee made up 11.4% of exports, with instant coffee accounting for 9.3% of foreign sales through November.
In November alone, exports hit 4.3 million bags shipped, including green, instant, and roast and ground coffee, up 32.2% from November 2019. This was the biggest number ever for an October, and the second biggest monthly output so far this year, Cecafé said. Revenue climbed 32.3% to USD 542 million during the month. “We were very pleased with the fact that the industry has weathered such a challenging year sustainably and protecting the health of all collaborators, and making sure that consumers around the world will have a cup of coffee on their tables, with quality and safety,” a press release quoted Cecafé chairman Nelson Carvalhaes as saying.