Brazil Arabica Coffee Seen Hurt From Fungus, Cold: Researcher By Fabiana Batista

(Bloomberg) -- Coffee-tree defoliation in arabica regions of Minas Gerais state has been higher than recent years because of major incidence of coffee leaf rust and longer winter with cold temperatures and wind, Cesar Botelho at crop research state agency Epamig says by phone.

• More intense incidence of leaf rust was observed in the south of Minas Gerais
• NOTE: Defoliation reduces the production potential of trees
  
• NOTE: Minas Gerais accounted for ~70% of Brazil’s arabica coffee output
• NOTE: Brazil’s Top-Coffee Exporter Sees Country’s Output Falling