SOFTS-Arabica coffee prices rise as exchange stocks fall

NEW YORK, Sept 25 (Reuters) - Arabica coffee futures on ICE rose on Thursday, extending their advance from the previous session, as declining exchange stocks helped support prices. COFFEE Arabica coffee (KCc2) settled up 3.05 cents, or 0.9%, at $3.5145 per lb, after climbing 4% on Wednesday. Dealers noted that exchange stocks stood at 601,717 bags as of September 24, down 14,186 bags from a day earlier and at the lowest level in a year and a half. A month earlier, they stood at 729,934 bags. The market was keenly awaiting a planned meeting next week between U.S. President Donald Trump and Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to see if a 50% U.S. tariff on Brazil coffee could be revised. The Brazilian president told reporters on Wednesday that he hoped he and Trump would mend the relationship between the two countries if they meet in a few days, as they agreed to on Tuesday, during a conversation at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Robusta coffee (LRCc2) lost 2.5% to $4,082 a metric ton. Trading activity remained subdued in Vietnam ahead of the new crop season coupled with limited supply of beans, while the weather turned favourable for the second-stage development of coffee trees in Indonesia, traders said. COCOA London cocoa (LCCc2) settled down 43 pounds, or 0.9%, to 4,888 pounds per ton, with the market consolidating just above a two-month low of 4,874 pounds. Dealers said the market’s focus was on the start of the 2025⁄26 season on October 1, with Ivory Coast expected to announce the price that will be paid to farmers in the next few days. Third quarter grinding data for Europe, North America and Asia, due to be released in early October, is also likely to be closely watched with weak demand a major concern. New York cocoa (CCc2) fell 1.5% to $6,956 a ton. SUGAR Raw sugar (SBc1) settled up 0.12 cent, or 0.8%, at 15.76 cents per lb. Sugar production in Brazil’s key center-south region in the first half of September likely rose 15% year-on-year to 3.6 million metric tons, a survey of 11 analysts published by S&P Global Commodity Insights showed on Thursday. White sugar (LSUc1) rose 0.9% to $462.90 a ton.