Robusta Coffee Hits 3-Week High as Rains Delay Vietnam Harvest

Neena Rai

  Robusta coffee futures firmed in afternoon European trading Monday after

thunderstorms and heavy rain caused delays to Vietnam's bean harvest.

  At 1400 GMT, January robusta coffee futures traded 1.1% higher at $1,528 a

metric ton, after the market hit an intraday high of $1,545 a ton--the highest

level in three weeks.

  Typhoon Haiyan made landfall in north-eastern and central Vietnam last week,

causing widespread power outages and triggering heavy rains and floods.

   "Typhoon Haiyan tracked inland well north of the coffee belt during the

weekend. Rains associated with this system were mostly north of the belt. A

weak cyclone may bring more rain to the region during the coming days," said

Global Ag weather.

  Vietnam is the world's largest grower of robusta coffee beans, which are used

primarily to make instant coffee blends.