SAO PAULO (Reuters) -Coffee buyers in the United States have started requesting to postpone imports of Brazilian coffee following a 50% tariff imposed on Brazilian goods by U.S. President Donald Trump, local exporters’ group Cecafe said on Tuesday.
While the tariff took effect this month, Brazilian green coffee exports to all destinations fell 28.1% in July compared to the same month a year ago, to 2.45 million 60-kilogram (132.3 lb) bags, according to Cecafe data.
The U.S. coffee industry, a major buyer of Brazilian coffee, is now in a holding pattern as it awaits news on tariffs negotiations, said Cecafe president Marcio Ferreira.
“They have inventory for 30 to 60 days, which gives them some breathing room to wait a little longer for ongoing negotiations,” Ferreira said.
The United States’ National Coffee Association did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
(Reporting by Roberto Samora and Oliver Griffin in Sao Paulo; additional reporting by Marcelo Teixeira in New York; Editing by Kylie Madry)
Brought to you by www.srnnews.com