SOFTS-Robusta coffee prices ease as Vietnam rains subside

LONDON, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Robusta coffee futures on ICE steadied on Thursday after earlier hitting their lowest in nearly three weeks amid relief that storms, floods and landslides in top grower Vietnam have finally subsided.

COFFEE

Robusta coffee LRCc1 edged up 0.1% to $4,218 a metric ton, having earlier hit a low of $4,192.

Traders in Vietnam cited lower spot prices in the physical market as beans have started to flow again, though they warned persistent rains are preventing farmers from drying the coffee, and there are also quality concerns.

Meanwhile, in Indonesia, the No. 3 robusta coffee grower, bean exports from key producing province Sumatra fell 2.26% year-on-year in October, and were down 9% on a monthly basis, data showed.

Arabica coffee KCc2 rose 0.3% to $3.7365 per lb.

Although arabica prices initially fell sharply after the Trump administration removed tariffs on coffee imports from top grower Brazil, prices have since been edging higher.

Dealers said roasters in the U.S., the world's top coffee consumer, have been especially keen to stock up in the wake of the news.

COCOA

London cocoa LCCc2 dipped 0.1% to 4,003 a ton, having closed down 0.7% on Wednesday, weighed partly by a rise in the value of the pound.

New York cocoa CCc2 was little changed at $5,505 a ton.

Cocoa has been recovering overall since hitting two-year lows late last month, with prospects for the tail-end of the main crop in top grower Ivory Coast uncertain, with some expecting a decline.

SUGAR

Raw sugar SBc1 ​edged up 0.2% to 14.96 per lb, having settled down 0.3% on Wednesday.

Sugar has been recovering overall since hitting a five-year low last month. Some analysts warn a rush of fund short covering might transpire in the near term, but it would need a fundamental trigger, which has yet to emerge.

Overall, the global sugar is still set to record a surplus this season, they note.

White sugar LSUc1 rose 0.7% to $429.10 a ton, having fallen 0.7% on Wednesday.