India coffee down on patchy local, no export demand.

MUMBAI/BANGALORE, April 30 (Reuters) - Prices at the Indian Coffee Association's Thursday auction fell in absence of export demand and selective domestic demand, auctioneers said on Friday.

The total quantity on offer was 253.83 tonnes, of which 22 tonnes were sold, an auctioneer said.

"Export demand was almost nil and domestic trade was selective in buying," said an auctioneer from Bangalore, who did not wish to be named.

Coffees from Andhra region offered by Coffee Board were well received by the domestic trade, auctioneers said.

Arabica Plantation, Arabica cherry and Robusta parchment coffees received no enquiry from the exporters.

Arabica Plantation PB grade price were higher by 50 rupees per 50 kgs compared auction, C grade sold at current levels, A and B grade remained unsold as sellers' price levels were higher than the buyer's interest.

Arabica Cherry coffees on offer remained unsold.

Trade said exporters are not active because of an appreciation of the rupee, which reduces the earnings realisation as coffee trade is denominated in dollar.  "Most domestic users have stocked up in the previous auctions ... so they were buying selectively," said Ashok MC of Laxmi Venkateswara Coffee Agency at Chikmanglur in Karnataka, a major trading centre.

Robusta Parchment coffees on offer received no enquiry. Robusta Cherry PB, AB and C grade remained unsold as seller's price expectation were higher than the buyer's interest.

A few lots of Robusta Cherry AA were bought by an exporter and sold at current price levels as indicated below.

Arabica Plantation, Arabica Cherry and Robusta Parchment BBB sold at current price levels, Robusta Cherry BBB grade remained unsold.

Source : REUTERS