HANOI/BANDAR LAMPUNG: A part of Vietnam's Central Highlands, the country's largest coffee belt, is expected to face heavy rains due to yet another tropical storm this weekend but robusta cherries to be harvested from next month would not be hurt, traders said on Thursday.
Rains from storm Saudel, the eighth to arrive in Vietnam this year and the third this month, could affect coastal provinces as well as the central highlands provinces, the country's weather forecast agency said in a statement.
"It's been rainy for the past week but rains will likely not affect the trees," said a trader based in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak. "Farmers are not harvesting as beans are not ripe yet."
Farmers in the Central Highlands sold coffee at 31,100-33,000 dong ($1.34-$1.42), compared with the 31,300-32,800 dong range last week.
"Market has already stayed dull for the past month as farmers have run out of beans and traders are awaiting new supplies," said another trader also based in the coffee belt.