Scattered showers at the start of the week will fade in coming days except in the forested zone of Minas Gerais where harvesting may be disrupted, private forecasters Somar said on Monday. Robusta harvesting is in full swing in Roraima and Espirito Santo states. Arabica picking is starting in lower and warmer parts in the south and forested areas Minas. A weak cold front is forecast to reach southern Brazil next weekend but will fade without bringing rain to coffee-producing areas.
Coffee farms in Sao Paulo state and northern Parana have had above average rain this month. Mogiana was wettest, receiving 113 millimeters (4.4 inches), or 177 percent more than the monthly average.
South Minas has had 70 percent more rain than usual in May while rainfall in the forested zone of Minas has been 21 percent above average.
The government last month edged up its estimate of the 2005/06 crop to 32.5 million 60-kg bags from 31.9 million bags in December. But due to the downturn in the biennial crop cycle it would still be 16 percent smaller than the 38.6 million bags produced in 2004/05.
Private views range from 34 million to 38 million bags.
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