Rain fell in some of Brazil's coffee growing zones over the weekend after weeks of dry weather and more showers could follow early in the next few days, private weather forecaster Somar said Monday. The heaviest rainfall was in Parana state where 29 millimeters fell since Friday, with another 19 millimeters falling in Sao Paulo state.
he main coffee state of Minas Gerais, which turns out half the coffee in the world's top grower, received only a 4-millimeter sprinkle. "The rainfall weakens in the second half of this week, but another cold front moves by eastern portions of Sao Paulo on Friday," Somar's daily coffee weather bulletin said.
The recent dry weather is typical of the current Brazilian winter and has been providing ideal conditions for farmers to harvest the 2008/09 crop and dry out the beans after they are removed from their pulpy cherries.
In its extended forecast, Somar said a new cold front would cross the south east of the country around August 13 but would not bring significant rainfall. Temperatures are warm in the coffee zones, not falling below 9 Celsius at night time, eliminating any risk of frost.
The arabica harvest is gathering pace after starting several weeks later than usual this season because of a dry spell last year that delayed flowering on the coffee trees. Analysts and traders surveyed in a Reuters poll published this month estimated the 2008/09 (July-June) crop at anywhere between the government's estimate of 45.5 million 60-kg bags and a much higher 54.2 million 60-kg bags.
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