The International Coffee Organisation (ICO)'s indicator price for Robustas reached a level of 78.68 US cents/lb on 22 August 2006, the highest price recorded in the last seven years.
"The average of the indicator price for Robustas in August represents an increase of 104 per cent in relation to the average for 2005, " said Osorio.
This rise continued during the first two weeks of September.
Osorio said that the main reason for the price recovery is the cutback in exports from Vietnam, which is experiencing problems related to climatic conditions. In addition, supplies of Robustas from other regions, particularly in Africa, have also been reduced.
In addition, certified stocks in the London futures market (LIFFE) have been reduced, and there has been a decline in the quality of some of the Robusta stocks held in free port warehouses, particularly in Trieste Italy due to mould formation.
"There has also been a reduction in exports from India, which is one of the main Robusta producing countries," said Osorio. "On the basis of the latest information provided by CONAB establishing Brazilian production at 41.57 million bags for crop year 2006/07, my estimates of world production have been revised upward to around 122 million bags."
Osorio said that demand remains constant both in exporting and importing countries.
"In the course of this month, I participated in the Coffee Congress held in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais in Brazil, during which I had occasion to present an analysis of the market situation in the last five years, together with an indication of future prospects, focussing on the need to continue efforts to promote increased consumption, an area in which Brazil has played an exceptional role," said Osorio.
"I emphasised the importance of establishing policies aimed at maintaining equilibrium between supply and demand, particularly in order to prevent increases in production as a result of the expansion of coffee areas."
In conclusion, Osorio said that the increase in Robusta prices has had a significant effect on the evolution of the market during the month of August and the first few days of September. A shortage in supplies to the market may be one of the principal causes of this increase in Robusta prices.
The differential between the indicator price for Robustas and that for Other Milds, which was 60.81 US cents/lb in January 2006, has continued to fall. In August it was down to 38.14 US cents/lb compared to 40.51 cents in July and 42.92 cents in June.
This situation may continue until the arrival of new Vietnamese coffee from crop year 2006/07 beginning in October 2006.