Cameroon robusta coffee exports reach 2,653 T by end-March

YAOUNDE (Reuters) - Robusta coffee exports from Cameroon reached 2,653 tonnes in the four months to March 31, down slightly from 2,765 tonnes in the same period of the previous season, according to figures from the National Cocoa and Coffee Board (NCCB) on Tuesday. The data showed that four exporters shipped 984 tonnes in March, down from 1,975 tonnes for the same month a year ago. Olam Cam, the local unit of Singapore's Olam International, topped the chart with 480 tonnes, followed by Nestle Cameroun and Nealiko with 180 tonnes each. The NCCB said that Cameroon shipped 157 tonnes of arabica beans in March, up sharply from 84 tonnes a year ago, bringing the total to 406 tonnes since the start of the season. The arabica season runs from October 1 to September 30 and the robusta season runs from Dec. 1 to Nov. 30. Cameroon is one of only a few African countries growing both types of coffee.