31.   In the middle of the week, prices had rallied briefly owing to fears that a cold snap had hit the Brazilian crop.

32.   Coffee prices continued their recent retreat, undermined by the prospect of a record Brazilian crop and the recent fall in the value of the Brazilian real.

33.   The size of the future Brazilian crop is a matter of debate.

34.   The wave of selling came as operators bailed out of positions thay had taken last week, in expectation that frost would hit the Brazilian crop, dealers said.

35.   Traders explained the continuing tension on the market by the expected late delivery of part of the Brazilian crop.

36.   Many weeks of warm and dry weather in Brazil had led to market fears of another decline in the Brazilian crop.

37.   Prices rose sharply, as has now become usual, on renewed fears for the outcome of the next Brazilian crop.

38.   Rain also fell over Brazil and forecasts say the precipitation will also continue there, although Brazilian crops do not need more moisture, traders said.

39.   Soybean was buoyed by fears of lack of rain for the Brazilian crop.

40.   Sugar prices fell back this week as the market awaited the arrival of news of the Brazilian crop.