SAO PAULO, Brazil – Robusta prices dropped in Brazil in the first fortnight of September, due to the US dollar devaluation in the period along with international price drops. This scenario drove agents away from the market, lowering liquidity. On September 13, the CEPEA/ESALQ Index for the robusta type 6, screen 13, Espírito Santo State, closed at 287.81 BRL (70.35 USD) per 60-kilo bag, 1.3% down compared to that on August 30.
On the other hand, Arabica coffee prices in Brazil remained stable in the first half of the month, reflecting the retraction of sellers from the Brazilian market. On September 13, the CEPEA/ESALQ Index for arabica coffee type 6 (delivered in São Paulo) closed at 438.02 BRL (107.07 USD) per 60-kilo bag, stable (-0.3%) compared to that on August 30.
The higher price levels led some growers to the arabica market, but liquidity remained low. According to agents, besides the fact that coffee growers have been unpleased with the current price levels, many of them are focused on the delivery of the product previously sold.
Field
A large flowering has been observed in the robusta crops from Rondônia State (RO), induced by rains and irrigation. The flowers from the 2020/21 crop, which opened slightly later than in the previous season, already account for 80% of the state area, according to Cepea collaborators.
Thus, agents are now focused on the weather. In August, high temperatures and small rain amounts led the few open flowers to drop. For this month, however, estimates for Rondônia State are positive.
In Espírito Santo (ES), the weather has been firmer. Concerning the flowerings from July and August, flowers have opened in 70% of the crops. So far, the 2020/21 robusta crop is developing well in ES, and flower have settled in most part of the crop.
Arabica
So far, only occasional flowers have opened in most arabica crops. In the Zona da Mata (MG), southern MG and the Cerrado Mineiro, rains have been low, and higher moisture is necessary for a larger flowering.
