DAR ES SALAAM (Reuters) - Tanzania's 2012/13 coffee output has surpassed an initial forecast of 55,000 tonnes, the country's coffee board said on Monday.
The state-run Tanzania Coffee Board (TCB) had predicted the 2012/13 (June/April) crop would rise to 55,000 tonnes from around 32,000 tonnes in the previous season.
e have already surpassed the target of 55,000 metric tonnes for the season and we expect to reach over 61,000 metric tonnes by the end of March," TCB chief auctioneer Desideri Mboya told Reuters.
TCB said 28,073 60-kg bags were offered at last week's auction, with 26,328 bags getting buyers. During the previous sale 22,566 bags had been offered and 18,243 sold.
Tanzania, which is Africa's fourth-largest coffee producer after Ethiopia, Uganda and Ivory Coast, produces mainly arabica and some robusta coffee.
"Overall average prices at the Moshi exchange were down by $2.73 per 50 kg for mild arabica compared to the last auction," TCB said in a market report.
Benchmark grade AA sold at $126.00-$159.00 per bag, compared with $137.00-$187.80 per bag at the previous sale. The average price was $140.05 per bag, down from $144.22 previously.
Grade A fetched $135.00-$155.00 per bag, compared with $132.00-$152.00 per bag at the previous sale. The average price rose to $145.79 from $142.75 previously.
East African coffee is normally packed in 60-kg bags, but the prices are quoted for quantities of 50 kg. The next auction will be held on Thursday.
