Vietnam’s coffee output in the 2013-2014 crop is forecast to drop by 25 percent compared to the previous crop due to severe droughts in the Central Highlands, said the Vietnam Coffee and Cocoa Association (Vicofa).

Statistics released by Central Highlands provinces showed that around 40,000 hectares of coffee in the localities have been deteriorated by dry weather and high air moisture, which create conditions for the development of diseases on coffee trees.

Vicofa also said that the country’s coffee exports will decrease in the coming months due to low inventories and transaction slowdown.

Vietnam shipped abroad 697.000 tonnes of coffee worth nearly 1.49 billion USD, in the first five months of this year, down 23 percent and 22 percent in volume and value, respectively against the same period last year.

In May alone, the country exported about 100.000 tonnes of coffee, a year-on-year decline of 46 percent.-VNA