Indian coffee exports surpass $1bn for the first time

Robusta coffee prices grew by more than 60% in 2024 to reach a 45-year high | Photo credit: Neeraj Negi

Indian coffee exports have exceeded $1bn for the first time amid heightened robusta prices globally and stockpiling from European customers ahead of EUDR implementation. 
 

Total coffee exports increased 12% year-on-year to $1.28bn during the eight months ended 30 November 2024, according to the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) think tank. Turkey, the UAE, Italy and Russia were among the largest importers of Indian coffee during the period. 

Robusta coffee prices grew by more than 60% in 2024 to reach a 45-year high following heightened coffee consumption globally and droughts in Brazil and Vietnam, the world’s largest coffee producers. 

India is the eighth largest coffee producer globally and the fifth largest for robusta – which accounts for 72% of the country’s total coffee production. Over 70% of India’s coffee is produced in the southwestern state of Karnataka, with the more southernly Kerala contributing 20%. 

The country’s higher coffee exports come as European markets continue to prepare for EUDR and increase shipments amid fears of tightened market supplies. Implementation of the law, which rules that businesses importing certain agricultural products to the EU produce due diligence statements on deforestation efforts, has been postponed by 12 months to 31 December 2025.