SAN JOSE, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Costa Rican coffee exports jumped by more than a third in November compared with a year earlier, the Central American country's coffee institute (ICAFE) said on Monday, marking a second strong month for the new coffee season.
Costa Rican exporters sold 17,723 60-kilo bags abroad last month, up 37% from 12,945 bags in November 2022, after sales soared 116% year-on-year in October, the first month of the coffee cycle.
For the first two months of the coffee season, exports were up 69%, reaching 36,622 bags.
The 2022/23 season, which ended in September, saw total exports down 4.8% after a year marked by logistical problems and smaller international demand, even though output rose 14.5%.
This season's harvest is expected to come in at a similar level, ICAFE said, at some 0.17% under last year's figure.
While one of Central America's smaller coffee growers, Costa Rica is well-known for its high-quality arabica beans and typically exports close to 90% of its harvest.
Costa Rican beans average higher average trading prices than those from other counties. This season, average prices have hit $250 per quintal (a roughly 46-kilo bag). (Reporting by Alvaro Murillo; Editing by Marguerita Choy)
