Sao Paulo, Oct 15 - Coffee consumption in Brazil, the world's biggest producer and second largest consumer, rose 3.4 percent to 17.45 million 60-kg bags in the 12 months ending in April from the previous period's 16.87 million bags, the Coffee Industry Association said Tuesday.
ABIC said it expected the calendar year of 2008 to end with consumption up 5.8 percent at 18.1 million bags.
Per capita consumption over the May-April period reached 5.64 kilograms, up 2.1 percent from the previous period.
"This research shows that nine out of 10 Brazilians above 15 years of age drink coffee daily, which gives coffee the second greatest penetration as a beverage after water and ahead of sodas and milk," said Natal Martins in ABIC's research department.
"The expectation of ABIC was for maintaining the annual 4.5 percent per year (increase) on average, even though the intermediary (May-April) research indicated a slightly lower result," Martins said.