Kenya coffee earnings jump 17 pct in 2013/14 crop year

NAIROBI (Reuters) - Kenya’s earnings from exports of its coffee rose 17 percent to $254.2 million during the 2013/14(Oct-Sept) crop season due to improved production and higher prices, the industry regulator said on Thursday. The east African nation is a relatively small coffee grower compared with other producers, but its speciality beans are known for their quality, attracting demand from roasters. Kenya's Coffee Directorate said farmers benefited from subsidised fertiliser from the gov