Domestic coffee prices rose in Vietnam this week as traders stockpiled on the commodity following a supply shortage in rival robusta producer Brazil due to the coronavirus pandemic, traders said on Thursday.

Farmers in the Central Highlands, Vietnam’s largest coffee-growing area, sold coffee at 31,200-31,500 dong ($.32-1.33) per kilogramme, up from 30,500 dong last week.

The outbreak has halted trading activities in Brazil, where it infected 2,554 people and killed 59.

"Now that trading in Brazil has been disrupted, traders have turned to Vietnam and are increasing their purchases, giving an upward push to domestic prices," a trader based in Dak Lak province said.

"Compared to Brazil, Vietnam is still a small fry with 148 infections and no death."

Traders said that farmers in Vietnam have sold approximately 70% of their harvest.

May robusta coffee settled up $2 or 0.16%, at $1,259 per tonne on Wednesday.

Traders in Vietnam offered 5% black and broken grade 2 robusta at a premium of $120-$150 per tonne to the May contract on Thursday, compared with last week’s $155.

Meanwhile, a trader in Indonesia’s Lampung province on Sumatra island said robusta beans for May contracts are offered with $300 premium, same as last week.

Trade remained muted as exporters await harvest, the trader said.