Brazilian green and soluble coffee exports are expected to rise 10 percent to around 27 million 60-kg bags in 2006/07 (July/June) from 24.5 million bags last season, an export leader projected.
He cited a forecast 23 percent increase in this year's Brazilian crop, which is about 40 percent harvested, to 40.6 million bags.
"A big crop is coming in and next year's won't be so small because the biennial swing is becoming less important," said Guilherme Braga, director general of the Council of Green Coffee Exporters of Brazil (Cecafe).
Replanting, pruning and use of new tree varieties are reducing the big annual fluctuations in Brazil's coffee output. Higher prices are also encouraging farmers to apply more fertiliser and take better care of their crops.
Export earnings rose 11.7 percent to $2.9 billion in 2005/06 despite a 12.4 percent fall in overall coffee exports.
The average price of coffee rose 27 percent to $118 a bag in 2005/06 but a weaker dollar against Brazil's real currency eroded the gains.
Brazil shipped 11.5 million bags of green and soluble coffee in the first six months of 2006, and is expected to ship 15 million bags in the second half of the year when exports are traditionally higher after the harvest.
A continued strike by federal government customs officers slightly slowed the flow of coffee loaded at coffee centers in the interior, such as Guaxupe and Pocos de Caldas, Braga pointed out.
But a truckers' strike which began on Monday has so far had no impact on coffee shipments.
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