Welcome to the second origin report from Ally Coffee. In this edition we take a look at Brazil as it reached the height of the harvest season and is now in full preparation to ship coffee around the world.
The World Market
C-Market Analysis
Source: Tradingview
Above is the candlestick chart for the ‘C-market’ over the last two months, specifically for the December delivery month. In September we witnessed a lot of downward pressure in the C-market after a price surge in July and August. Between September first and September 30 the market lost 16.06%, including a particularly rough day on September 14 when the market lost 7.47%, for a total loss of 9.84 cents per pound. The market found support some days later at the $1.08.25 level from which it bounced back to $1.10.85 where it closed for the month. The $1.10 mark has been resistant for the last two years and the market has not been able to support that level consistently. Every time the $1.10 mark is broken the market reaches $1.30, but quickly falls back down to well below the one dollar mark. Perhaps the latest surge can inspire enough confidence in the market to sustain the $1.10 level.
Global Coffee Industry Statistics and Analysis
Below are the production, export, and consumption data as of October 2020 published monthly by the ICO. Moreover, the graph below shows the composite index of prices paid for coffee shipment including robusta coffee. This graph can be interpreted as the ‘real’ price paid for coffee globally.
Source: International Coffee Organization
At Origin
Brazil General Update
During the third quarter of 2020 the Brazilian economy maintained the trajectory of recovery after the pandemic of COVID-19 began in March and April. The gradual easing of restrictions on people's mobility, the extension of emergency aid, an expansion of credit to micro, small, and medium-sized companies with Treasury guarantees, and the expansionary monetary policy, have all contributed to the recovery observed since May. The economic activity data released since June indicates that the economy is set to grow again in the third and fourth quarters of 2020. This is thanks in part to the continued easing of mobility restrictions and the implementation of other measures enacted in June. The data originally indicated that the economy would recover part of the second quarter losses and end the year with a decrease of 6%. However, in the first months of the third quarter, the observed performance of part of the economic activity indicators allows for a more optimistic expectation. As a result, the projected drop in GDP for the year was revised from 6% to 5%, while projected growth for 2021 was maintained at 3.6%.
Harvest in Numbers and Statistics
The latest survey by the National Supply Company (Conab) shows a harvest between 57.2 and 62 million bags, which represents an increase of 25% relative to the crop year 19/20. Coffee growers show a high quality crop, as the weather conditions of the past few months have favored the proper development of the fruit. The price of coffee in the domestic market rose by almost 50% between the end of September 2019 and the first half of April 2020.
High production, good quality, and high prices—these three factors rarely coincide. For this reason, it is essential that coffee farmers prepare themselves properly for this harvest. Proper preparation can help ensure profit and compensate for the poor results of 2019, a year that was marked by low prices and lower quality than we currently see in the 2020 harvest.
Coronavirus Impact
FALL IN EXPORTS: The main commodities produced by Brazil have been suffering a price drop in the international market, including soy, corn, and coffee. Major buyers of Brazilian agricultural exports, including Europe and China, have felt major effects from the COVID-19 pandemic. This has decreased purchasing from these important trading partners.
PRODUCTION FLOW DIFFICULTY: There has been great difficulty in receiving new purchases in warehouses. Warehouses are crowded and there has been lower export flow. This situation may last for a few weeks yet. We believe that in mid-September, due to a possible increase in the volume exported, there will be a release of space in warehouses with better flow.
INCREASED PRODUCTION COSTS: Fertilizers and other agro-chemicals for coffee cultivation are tied to the value of the US dollar. Compared to the Brazilian real, the dollar has grown stronger since the start of the pandemic. This has resulted in higher production costs in Brazil by effectively making these products more expensive for producers.
2019-2020 for Ally Coffee in Brazil and Future Outlook
Our main focus is to maintain and improve the high level of service we have in Brazil, and to be prepared for growth. We have a strong and established structure in Brazil, allowing us to grow capacity to meet demand, as well as to offer a variety of services including logistics, sustainability, quality, education, and more.