World coffee conference says supplies tightening

Coffee industry leaders say world supplies are growing tighter as demand grows.

The weather has also been a problem, according to coffee producers, experts and officials from 77 countries gathered at the International Coffee Organization's World Conference in Guatemala City.

The organization's secretary-general says consumer countries have stocks of about 25 million bags, each weighing 130 pounds (60 kilograms). Nestor Osorio calls that level very tight.

The group says world coffee exports totaled 28.4 million bags between October and January. That was a 9.2 percent decrease from the same period a year earlier.