SOFTS-Arabica coffee sets 2-1/2 month high, sugar and cocoa fall

LONDON, Aug 21 (Reuters) - Arabica coffee futures on ICE rose to a 2-1/2 month high on Thursday as roasters looked to secure alternative supplies following a 50% tariff on U.S. imports from top producer Brazil.

COFFEE

* Arabica coffee futures KCc2 rose 2.6% to $3.6270 per lb by 1401 GMT after setting a 2-1/2 month high of $3.6440.

* The market has been supported by a drop in certified exchange stocks as roasters look for other sources of supply.

* Dealers noted that exchange stocks stood at 736,099 bags as of August 20, down 474 bags from a day earlier, although above a recent low of 726,661 bags set on August 14.

* Robusta coffee LRCc2 gained 1.7% to $4,477 a metric ton.

* Coffee prices in Vietnam continued to inch up this week due to a scarcity of beans, while heavy rainfall in Indonesia likely hurt the growth of coffee cherries, traders said on Thursday.

SUGAR

* Raw sugar SBc1 fell 1.1% to 16.39 cents per lb.

* The lowest price offered in an international tender from Pakistan to buy 200,000 metric tons of sugar on Thursday was believed to be $560 a metric ton cost and freight included (c&f), European traders said in initial assessments.

* White sugar LSUc1 lost 1.35% to $483 a ton.

COCOA

* New York cocoa CCc2 fell 0.6% to $7,805 a ton.

* Dealers said the market was keeping a close watch on U.S. tariff developments with talk that cocoa from Ecuador could be exempted from the 15% rate for the South American country.

* London cocoa LCCc2 lost 0.6% to 5,427 pounds per ton.