Coffee shipments from India (Asia’s third-largest producer and exporter) increased 1.66 per cent to 4 lakh tonnes in 2022 as instant coffee exports and re-exports increased, according to the Central Coffee Board (founded in 1942 and is looked after by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry). In 2021, exports were 3.93 lakh tonnes.
Numerical Data of Coffee :
In 2022 coffee exports were higher at Rs.8,762.47 compared to the previous year’s Rs.6,984.67. India ships both Robusta and Arabica varieties as well as instant coffee. As per the board’s latest data, shipments of Robusta coffee decreased slightly to 2,20,974 tonnes in 2022 from 2,20,997 tonnes in the previous year.
Arabica coffee exports also declined by 11.43 per cent to 44,542 tonnes from 50,292 tonnes. It has been observed that the exports of instant coffee have risen to 16.73 per cent which is 35,810 tonnes in 2022 from 29,819 tonnes in 2021. In 2022, 99,513 tonnes of coffee were re-exported, up from 92,235 tonnes the previous year, according to data.
Coffee Producing States and Export:
Coffee production in India is dominated in the mountainous regions of the south Indian states, with Karnataka accounting for 71% (Kodagu alone produces 33% of India’s coffee), followed by Kerala at 21% and Tamil Nadu (5% of total production at 8,200 tonnes). Apart from this, the new emerging non-traditional areas are Andhra Pradesh and Odisha on the east coast of the country, and a third region comprising the states of Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh in northeastern India, popularly known as the “Seven Sister States of India.”
Indian coffee is considered the best coffee in the world, grown in shade and not in direct sunlight. There are about 2,50,000 coffee farmers in the country, 98% of whom are smallholders. In 2009, Indian coffee accounted for only 4.5% of global production. Nearly 80% of Indian coffee is exported; 70% goes to Germany, Russia, Spain, Belgium, Slovenia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Greece, the Netherlands and France. Italy accounts for 29% of exports. Most of the exports are shipped through the Suez Canal. Italy, Germany and Russia are the major export destinations for Indian coffee. Some of the major exporters are CCL Products India, Tata Coffee, ITC Ltd, Olam Agro, Vidya Herbs and Sucden Coffee India.
Conclusion
India’s coffee production has now spread to more regions of India. This has influenced India’s large-scale production and export of coffee. Even after the decrease in the export of Robusta and Arabica coffee, India has benefited from the increasing export of instant coffee to other nations.
