Firm Finish In Very Quiet Trading

Arabica pit-traded coffee futures prices on ICE Futures U.S. closed slightly higher and near the session high Friday, in light, pre-holiday trading. March coffee closed up 45 points at $1.3415.

In London robusta trading overnight, prices were firmer in holiday-type trading, too. The London market is unlikely to see any significant price moves until the New Year begins.

Brazilian coffee exports for the Dec. 1-20 period were 1,384,020 60-kilo bags, according to the Brazilian Green Coffee Exporters Council, or Cecafe. That compares with 1,488,287 bags exported in the same period last month.

Weather in Brazil coffee regions has seen showers and thunderstorms the past 24 hours. More rains are in the forecast, along with warmer temperatures. These weather conditions are deemed favorable for the budding trees in Sao Paulo and Minas Gerais.