India’s Coffee Exports Surge to $1.8 Billion in 2024-25

India’s coffee exports reached a record USD 1.80 billion in the financial year 2024-25, reflecting a remarkable 40.2% increase compared to USD 1.28 billion in the previous year. This marks the fourth consecutive year that India’s coffee exports have exceeded the billion-dollar threshold, according to the Department of Commerce under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The surge in exports highlights the growing global appreciation for India’s diverse coffee varieties, including the increasingly popular Koraput coffee.

Global Demand Fuels Coffee Export Growth

The substantial growth in India’s coffee exports has been driven by rising global demand for its rich and unique flavors. The Commerce Ministry noted that approximately 75% of India’s coffee production comprises Arabica and Robusta beans, which are mainly exported as unroasted beans. There is also a burgeoning market for value-added products, such as roasted and instant coffee, further propelling the export boom.

India’s coffee is primarily cultivated in the ecologically rich regions of the Western and Eastern Ghats, known for their biodiversity. The leading state in coffee production is Karnataka, followed closely by Kerala and Tamil Nadu. As of now, India ranks as the seventh-largest coffee producer globally, with exports nearly doubling from USD 719.42 million in the financial year 2020-21 to USD 1.29 billion in 2023-24.

Prime Minister Modi Highlights Indian Coffee’s Rise

In a recent episode of his radio programme, ‘Mann ki Baat’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the increasing popularity of Indian coffee among global consumers. He emphasized the economic opportunities that coffee cultivation presents for many individuals in India. Continuing from discussions about Araku coffee from Andhra Pradesh in a previous episode, Modi commended the quality of coffee from Koraput in Odisha.

The Prime Minister stated, “Indian coffee is becoming very popular all over the world,” and highlighted various coffee-growing regions, including Chikmagalur, Coorg, and Hassan in Karnataka, as well as areas in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. He noted that many individuals have shared their experiences with Koraput coffee, expressing its exceptional taste and the positive impact of its cultivation on local livelihoods.

Modi remarked on the passion of those in Koraput who, despite previous corporate careers, embraced coffee cultivation, transforming their lives. He acknowledged the significant contributions of women in the coffee sector and underscored the progress being made in coffee cultivation across India’s northeastern states.

In closing, the Prime Minister stated that these collective efforts are enhancing the global identity of Indian coffee. “India’s coffee is coffee at its finest. It is brewed in India and loved by the world,” he concluded, encapsulating the sentiments of coffee enthusiasts everywhere.

Over the years, India’s coffee cultivation has evolved from a modest practice into a vibrant industry, now celebrated and enjoyed around the world. As the market for Indian coffee continues to expand, the country’s rich coffee heritage looks set to thrive on the global stage.