SOFTS-Robusta coffee gains after hitting 2-1/2 month low

LONDON, Dec 9 (Reuters) - Robusta coffee prices on ICE rose on Tuesday after matching Monday's 2-1/2 month lows earlier in the session as a much needed dry spell persisted in top grower Vietnam.

COFFEE

Robusta coffee LRCc2 rose 0.9% to $4,127 a metric ton at 1054 GMT, after setting a 2-1/2 month low of $4,085 on Monday.

"The Central Highlands is finally enjoying a dry spell after the recent typhoons, allowing harvest activities to accelerate," said a Vietnam-based dealer.

He noted that local prices have softened and that Vietnam's coffee exports rose 38% year-on-year in November despite the severe weather disruptions.

Arabica coffee KCc2 rose 1.5% to $3.7285 per lb, after hitting a two week low on Monday.

Cool, wet conditions are expected over most of top arabica grower Brazil's crop regions through the next couple weeks, benefiting crop development, according to LSEG Weather Research.

COCOA

London cocoa LCCc2 slipped 0.2% to 4,113 a ton, having hit a one-month high on Monday.

About 85,000 tons of cocoa were delivered between December 1 and 7 to ports in top grower Ivory Coast, equal to the same week of the previous season, exporters estimated.

Dealers pointed out, however, that the arrivals break a four-week streak of 100,000 or more tons and could be the first sign that, as feared, the tail end of the main crop will disappoint.

New York cocoa CCc2rose 0.7% to $5,743 a ton.

SUGAR

Raw sugar SBc1 slipped 0.1% to 14.80 per lb, having closed little changed on Monday.

Sugar is stuck in a holding pattern heading into the year-end, though rainfall in top grower Brazil is expected to keep any potential price gains in check, dealers said.

White sugar LSUc1 dipped 0.3% to $421.30 a ton.