Tanzania arabica coffee prices rise, robusta down

DAR ES SALAAM (Reuters) - Average arabica coffee prices in Tanzania, Africa's fourth-largest producer, edged higher at auction after prices rose in the New York coffee market, the country's coffee board said on Tuesday.

Prices of the robusta variety of beans fell at the same auction.

The east African nation, which ranks behind Ethiopia, Uganda and Ivory Coast in output, produces mainly arabica and some robusta coffee. Prices of its arabica normally track the New York market while those of robusta take their cue from London.

The state-run coffee board said a total of 19,576 bags were offered at the latest sale and that 18,648 bags were purchased. At the previous sale, a total of 23,536 60-kg bags had been offered for sale, with 23,336 bags sold.

East African coffee is normally packed in 60-kg bags, but the prices are quoted for quantities of 50 kg.

"Overall average prices at the Moshi exchange were up by $4.94 per 50 kg for mild arabica, while robusta prices were down by $1.77 per 50 kg compared to the last auction," the board said in its auction report.

The coffee regulator says it expects a bumper 2014/15 harvest, with production seen exceeding 55,000 tonnes from about 48,700 tonnes in the previous season.

TCB said benchmark grade AA arabica sold at $180.00-$253.00 per bag at last week's auction, compared with $182.00-$236.00 per bag previously. The average price was $209.99 per bag, up from $198.18 at the previous auction.

Grade A arabica fetched $196.00-$239.60 per bag, compared with $179.40-$213.00 per bag at the previous sale. The average price was $206.19, higher than $198.73 previously.

The auction was held last Thursday. The next auction will be held on Sept. 25.

  PRICE (dollars)GRADE           OFFERED    SOLD      LOW       HIGH    AVERAGE

 Arabica AA        6,703   6,163     180.00     253.00    209.99

Arabica A         3,401   3,365     196.00     239.60    206.18

 Arabica AB        1,995   1,780     195.40     224.80    211.57

 Arabica B         2,254   2,186     190.00     229.40    201.01

 Arabica PB        1,545   1,516     187.00     232.00    201.14

 Arabica C           791     760     167.00     202.20    179.85

 Robusta Organic   1,171   1,171     108.20     111.40    110.16

 Robusta Over 18     360     360     104.00     104.00    104.00

 Robusta Superior  1,079   1,079     100.00     100.20    100.07

 Robusta FAQ       1,439   1,439      95.00      96.00     95.35