Sugar falls as Brazil supply concern eases

Sugar fell the most in four days in London after an industry group said production picked up in the second half of May in the main Brazilian producing region. Coffee declined in London. Sugar output in Brazil's Centre South rose 6.8 per cent in the second half of May as farmers accelerated the harvest on dry weather, industry association Unica said on Monday. The region's sugar production had plunged almost 47 per cent from the beginning of the harvest in mid-March to May 16, according to the group. Brazil is the world's biggest producer. "The report does indicate progress is being made in the Centre South, and that's driving prices lower today," said Keith Flury, a London-based analyst at Rabobank International. "Yet, the market still has a number of concerns about output and yield, which may further support the rally." White, or refined, sugar for August delivery fell $3.50, or 0.5 per cent, to $720 a metric ton on NYSE Liffe in London. It earlier fell as much as 0.6 per cent, the most since June 9. Raw sugar for October delivery was unchanged at 24.38 cents a pound on ICE Futures US in New York. Brazil's sugar-cane harvest usually runs from April to December, with peak output between July and September. It was delayed this year because of rains. Unica in March estimated Center South's harvest at 568.5 million tonnes and said May 26 lower yields might result in a smaller crop than initially forecast. Robusta coffee for September delivery fell $5, or 0.2 per cent, to $2,466 a tonne in London. Arabica coffee for September delivery gained 0.4 per cent to $2.717 a pound in New York. Cocoa for July delivery fell £1 to £1,837 (Dh11,059) a tonne in London. Cocoa for September delivery was down 0.2 per cent at $2,963 a ton in New York. Dry weather in the last two weeks of May accelerated the harvesting, while it also damaged further development of the crop due to be gathered in the coming months, Unica said. Productivity is also lower because older plantations are being harvested, it said. Unica said it plans to revise its forecast for the 2011-2012 crop after completing a survey of cane available for crushing early next month. From / Gulf News