KOCHI: Coffee Board has forecast the post blossom crop of coffee in 2015-16 to touch a record 355,600 tonnes , up by 8.75% over the final production estimate of coffee in 2014-15. Every year the board releases two forecasts, the post blossom and post monsoon estimates.The total post blossom crop comprises 110,300 tonnes of arabica and 245,300 tonnes of robusta. The total crop showed an increase of 28,600 tonnes over 327,000 tonnes estimated in 2014-15. The post blossom estimate shows 12.55 % increase in arabica production over that in 2014-15 while robusta is up by 7.12%.A board statement said the production gain has mainly come from Karnataka to the tune of 23,270 tonnes. ``Overall the crop prospects of 2015-16 at post blossom stage are quite encouraging with a promise of highest record crop thanks to the timely and adequate blossom and backing showers in the traditional and non-traditional areas,’’ the statement said.The board has pegged the final crop estimate of coffee for 2014-15 at 327,000 tonnes, which is the highest so far comprising 98,000 tonnes of arabica and 229,000 tonnes of robusta.Last year the condition was good and favourable at the time of prediction of post blossom crop. However, according to the board, coffee areas witnessed a long period of drought after receiving blossom showers followed by an extremely harsh monsoon. There was heavy proliferation of white stem borer in the arabica growing regions because of extended drought and the subsequent heavy monsoon damaged robusta crop.As a result the final estimate showed a marginal decrease of 1.21% or 4000 tonnes over the post monsoon estimate. The loss came mainly from Karnataka.