ASIA COFFEE — Vietnam prices flat on quiet trade at the end of harvest season

By Phuong Nguyen and Mas Alina Arifin HANOI, Sept 24 (Reuters) — Robusta coffee prices in Vietnam were little changed this week amid subdued trading ahead of the new harvest season, which officially begins next week, while premiums in Indonesia were mixed, traders said on Thursday. Farmers in the Central Highlands, Vietnam's coffee belt, sold beans at 92,000 dong to 93,000 dong ($3.54 to $3.58) per kg, down from last week's 93,000 dong to 93,500 dong range. Robusta coffee LRCc2 gained 1.7% to $3,317 a metric ton after slumping to a 3-1/2-month low of $3,218 on Wednesday. "Healthy supplies from Brazil and steadily rising exports from Vietnam are putting pressure on robusta prices," said a trader based in the Central Highlands. Another trader said market activity remained subdued as participants awaited supplies from the upcoming crop. Traders offered 5% black and broken-grade 2 robusta at a premium of $200 per metric ton to the November LIFFE contract. In Indonesia, the premium on Sumatra robusta coffee beans to October shipments dropped to $180 from $230 last week, a trader said. Another trader quoted a $280 premium to the November contract, up from $250 last week. ($1 = 25,990.000