Tanzania's top arabica coffee prices rise on export demand

DAR ES SALAAM (Reuters) - Tanzania's average arabica coffee prices rose at auction last week, buoyed by strong demand from exporters and higher New York markets, the Tanzania Coffee Board (TCB) said on Wednesday.
The East African nation, which ranks behind Ethiopia, Uganda and Ivory Coast in terms of output on the continent, mainly produces arabica and a bit of robusta coffee. Prices of its arabica normally track the New York market while those of robusta take their cue from London.
The average price for top grade arabica coffee rose to $141.99 per bag at the auction held on Thursday, up from $136 previously, the TCB said in an auction report.
"Overall average prices at the Moshi exchange were up by $9.13 per 50 kg for mild arabica compared to the last auction," state-run TCB said.
The TCB said 22,020 bags were offered at the latest sale, compared with 25,377 bags offered at the last auction on Oct 8.
The regulator said indicative prices at New York were up compared to the previous auction, pushing local auction prices upwards. The next auction will be held on Oct 22.
COFFEE AMOUNT OFFERED PRICE IN DOLLARS
 
GRADE OFFERED SOLD LOW HIGH AVERAGE

Arabica AA 9,160 8,658 135.20 154.20 141.99
Arabica A 5,459 5,459 134.80 147.60 141.97
Arabica AB 498 359 154.20 154.40 154.27
Arabica B 4,002 4,002 134.00 139.80 138.63
Arabica PB 1,875 1,677 132.00 162.80 140.31
Arabica C 1,026 1,026 105.20 134.80 124.08