India's coffee journey began centuries ago with Mocha seeds, brought by the holy saint Baba Budan to the hills of Karnataka in the 1600s. This humble act set the stage for India’s rise as a major global coffee producer. Today, India is the seventh-largest coffee producer in the world, with coffee exports reaching Rs. 11,163.66 crore (US$ 1.29 billion) in FY24, almost double the figure from 2020-21. The country’s coffee, particularly Arabica and Robusta beans, is highly sought after for its unique flavours, with major export markets including Italy, Belgium, and Russia. The growing demand for value-added products like roasted and instant coffee has further accelerated this boom.
Domestically, India has seen a surge in coffee consumption, with domestic consumption rising from 84,000 tonnes in 2012 to 91,000 tonnes in 2023, driven by a burgeoning cafe culture and shifting drinking habits. Coffee is predominantly grown in the ecologically rich Western and Eastern Ghats, with Karnataka leading production, followed by Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The Coffee Board of India has launched several initiatives, including the Integrated Coffee Development Project (ICDP), to improve yields, expand cultivation, and ensure sustainability. These efforts, exemplified by the success in Araku Valley, highlight the empowerment of local communities and the role of coffee farming in supporting India's economic growth and global competitiveness.
Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.