TEGUCIGALPA: Coffee exports from Honduras, Central America's top producer, fell 1.2 percent in February compared to the same month last year, the national coffee institute IHCAFE said on Monday.
IHCAFE said coffee shipments in February totaled 574,438 60-kg bags.
Exports volumes during future months of the current 2013/2014 harvesting season, which began in October, are expected to keep falling.
"Exports will fall sharply in coming months due to the fact that roya continues to damage coffee farms and contraband beans keep leaving for Guatemala," said Miguel Pon, head of Honduras' coffee exporters association ADECAFEH.
Central America's five major coffee producers, along with Mexico, are all grappling with damage caused by the tree-killing fungus roya, which is threatening to reduce yields and slash jobs across the region.
Honduras expects to export 4.52 million 60-kg bags during the current season.
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