Get the inside story as MacBeans Aberdeen launches its Indian coffee trilogy.
All Indian coffee from MacBeans is farmed organically.
MacBeans in Aberdeen explores the world of Indian coffee, offering fresh blends, single origins and new flavour experiences.
MacBeans Coffee Roasters in the corner of Little Belmont Street in Aberdeen has been open for 37 years. It’s now one of the oldest surviving High Street coffee roasters in Scotland. And unlike most other retailers, it roasts its coffee right on its premises.
For the past several weeks, MacBeans has been roasting coffee freshly delivered from India, which the proprietor, Brian Milne visited early this year.
About 20% of the coffee sold at MacBeans is sourced from India. The shop carries single origin coffees from the South Asian country. But it also uses Indian coffee in many of its own MacBeans blends.
As a former oilfield chemist with a passion for coffee, Brian Milne does not source his coffee blindly. With direct connections to producers all around the world, Brian is able to work closely with them to deliver the highest quality beans to use in every customer’s cup of coffee.
A Passage to India
MacBeans’ proprietor, Brian Milne (center) meets with coffee producers in India
Last January, Brian went on a ten-day trip to South India, facilitated by MacBeans’ coffee importer, to visit different coffee plantations and meet with local producers.
Brian says: “A big part of my drive with our coffee is to make sure I understand where the coffee comes from. Going on these trips is a good opportunity to learn more about what’s happening in each country and finding things that we can support.”
In Bangalore, he met with agricultural communities and local cooperatives, even India’s coffee minister.
Brian shares: “We got to tour The Coffee Board of India’s facility and that really appealed to my background in analytical chemistry. I got very excited over some of the lab equipment because they were doing a lot of work to develop and standardise the quality of the coffee that comes out of India.
“They had an artificial nose and an artificial tongue – analytical instruments designed to analyse the coffee for the compounds that contribute to its aromas and its flavour profile.
An electronic nose analyses coffee for compounds that contribute to its aroma.
“They are building a library of their coffees to keep track of the quality, which was very interesting.
“They also do a lot of agricultural training. A lot of the agronomists who support the farmers have all been trained by or worked with the Coffee Board of India. So there’s a lot of governmental support at that level to help the local coffee producers.”
Caring for the environment
Coffee beans are handpicked by workers in India.
Brian observed that Indian producers followed strict environmental practices. This aligns with the principles of MacBeans, where all the coffee is free of pesticides and farmed organically.
Brian notes: “They reuse a lot of the biomaterials like leaves that have dropped. When they pulp the coffee cherries, all the fruit flesh is composted. That’s what they put back onto the land to help fertilise the crop.
“Because water can be scarce, the processors also collect and recycle the water used from washing the coffee. That’s purified through reed bed processes and reused. So they’re very considerate of the environment.”
People at the heart of the business
Hundreds of people are employed in Indian estates to produce coffee.
Before his visit, Brian knew that India was among the top 10 coffee producers in the world. But he didn’t understand the scale of the production until he saw it for himself.
“During harvest time, the estates we visited would employ about 1,000 people – pickers, processors. But even outside the harvest, there would be 600 or 700 people employed to tend to the land and maintain the plants.
“People are at the heart of the whole process. There are estates owned by families or cooperatives working with small landowners. They all work together to produce their coffee to manage it and support it. It’s a people business.”
The story behind the Monsoon Malabar
Indian workers dry coffee beans in the sun.
On his trip, Brian discovered more about one of MacBeans’ more popular coffees – the Monsoon Malabar.
“What I knew about it was that it was just an aged coffee. Apparently, that came about a hundred years ago when they were shipping coffee from India on long journeys on sailing ships.
“Researchers found that when the coffee got to Europe, it tasted a lot more mellow than it did when it was at origin. They worked out that it was attributed to the damp environment in ships and the extended time the coffee spent in that environment.
“Today, coffee makers in India are replicating that aging process now called monsooning. They harvest the coffee then wash and dry it as normal. But afterwards, it is aged in the monsoon rains then dried in warehouses on the Malabar coast, resulting in a very smooth and mellow coffee.”
This ageing method as well as the production zones are strictly defined by regulations to protect the production and authenticity of the Monsoon Malabar. It’s a system that’s similar to the DOC system for Italian wines.
Busting the Robusta myth
Brian also travelled to Chikmagalur, the heartland of coffee production in South India, right at the tail end of the Robusta crop harvest and the beginning of the Arabica harvest.
MacBeans does not sell Robusta as a single origin coffee. It’s so intensely flavoured that it can be bitter and even unpalatable.
“In India, producers are investing a lot of time and effort into how they treat Robusta coffee when it’s harvested to improve its flavour and develop it into a specialty coffee.
“There’s a method sometimes called the honey process where you pulp the cherries. But you don’t wash off the little bits that stick. So then you still get all kind of fruitiness to the coffee, but it’s a much milder effect.
“They’re also co-fermenting coffees with other fruits in barrels from a few days to a few weeks. The amount of time makes a huge difference to the flavour.
“The trip was an eye-opener for me. I always thought of Robusta as a low-grade coffee that we added to some of our blends to make them stronger in caffeine and in flavour. But we had to be careful about how much we put in because it can affect the taste detrimentally.
“Now I have a much bigger appreciation for the quality of Indian Robusta and its potential to broaden people’s profiles and expectations of coffee. So I’ve committed to use only Indian Robusta. The coffee that I saw being harvested is now in the shop, ready to sell.”
A reminder, though, to those who favour the milder Arabica coffee but would like to explore speciality Robusta. Brian says: “It’s like tasting wine and comparing it to beer; they’re very different – different in the mouth, different flavour profiles.”
The taste of coffee depends on the beans and roasting methods used.
Try MacBeans’ new India coffee trilogy
Of course, Brian was also able to sample Arabica coffee produced at many of the estates.
“There was a huge variety in the flavours that we tried. Some were very fruity, sharp, distinctive flavours that would be great to try.
“We’ve now got Indian Mysore, an Arabica coffee that forms part of our blends. We also roast it as a single origin Indian coffee. The coffee we have now is from the harvest period that started from the end of 2025 and finished up in February this year.”
The Mysore will be combined with Monsoon Malabar and India Tiger Stripes to form MacBeans’ newest coffee trilogy. Inspired by Brian’s recent trip to India, each bag is bursting with flavours just waiting to be explored by eager coffee aficionados.
As the war disrupts global shipping routes, demand collapses, prices fall, and tribal growers in Andhra Pradesh are left with unsold stock and mounting debt.
Araku is a significant coffee-producing region, with this year’s crop standing at 18,000 tonnes, according to the Coffee Board of India.
The Iran-US war has found an unlikely casualty in the coffee plantations of Araku, in Andhra Pradesh’s Alluri Sitarama Raju district. Demand for the region’s famed Arabica beans has fallen sharply, leading to stocks piling up and farmers’ distress.
Araku is a significant coffee-producing region, with this year’s crop standing at 18,000 tonnes, according to the Coffee Board of India. Around 90 per cent of the production, nearly 15,000 metric tonnes, is exported to Europe, the UAE, and other markets.
Shipping routes disrupted
The war has made the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea (Suez Canal) route too dangerous to use. Ships are now being rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope, adding three to four weeks to delivery times for European buyers. Freight costs have jumped fivefold, insurance premiums have surged, and crude oil prices have risen 28 per cent — with a barrel now touching USD 107. Foreign buyers, uncertain about delivery timelines, are holding back new orders.
Exporter Ravi Kiran put it plainly, “It’s not just the cost — containers have become impossible to find. A shipment to Europe that used to cost USD 2,000 now costs over USD 10,000. And because ships are going around Africa, it takes twice as long for containers to return.”
Prices in freefall
Arabica prices have fallen 2.31 per cent in recent trading, while Robusta dropped 4.69 per cent. Global supply pressures are adding to the pain – Brazil is projected to produce a record 75.3 million bags, with world output potentially reaching 180 million bags.
Locally, farmer K Gopal said parchment coffee was fetching Rs 540 per kg in January-February, but by first week of March, that had fallen to Rs 446.
“Now no one is buying even at Rs 400,” he said. “They just say — war.”
Tribal farmer Simhachalam from Pachipenta, near the Araku valley, was blunt about what it means on the ground, “We sweated all year for a good harvest. When we finally brought it to market, they said ‘war’. I can’t see how I’ll repay my debts.”
Govt agencies halt purchases
Traders and middlemen who bought early are now sitting on unsold stock, waiting for prices to recover before buying more from farmers. Government agencies — the Girijan Cooperative Corporation (GCC) and the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) — have also suspended purchases, leaving farmers with nowhere to turn. Farmers are now demanding that the GCC intervene immediately to buy up the surplus.
Traders and middlemen who bought early are now sitting on unsold stock, waiting for prices to recover before buying more from farmers.
Quality of beans at risk
Experts warn that prolonged storage could reduce moisture levels in the beans, diminishing their aroma, threatening the hard-won brand image of Araku coffee in international markets.
Coffee Board official Ramesh acknowledged that the war had dampened purchases, though he maintained that market fluctuations were normal and that local prices would recover when national market rates improved.
For now, Araku farmers, once proud of growing one of the world’s most admired coffees, are trapped in a crisis that is entirely beyond their control, and one that may only resolve when the guns fall silent.
(This article was originally published in The Federal Andhra Pradesh)
source: http://www.thefederal.com / The Federal / Home> Business> Farm Matters / by Amaraiah Akula / March 21st, 2026
In this photo essay, we showcase more exhibitors at IICF 2026, along with expert insights.
Bengaluru recently hosted the 2026 edition of the India International Coffee Festival (IICF) at Chamara Vajra, Jayamahal Road. See our earlier coverage of the World Coffee Conference in 2023 here.
“We estimate that 20,000 visitors attended the three-day IICF event. The energy on the floor was indicative of strong commercial engagement,” Hamsini Appadurai, President of the Specialty Coffee Association of India (SCAI), tells YourStory.
The festival featured India’s geo-tagged coffee varieties such as Coorg Arabica Coffee, Wayanad Robusta Coffee, Chikmagalur Arabica Coffee, Araku Valley Arabica Coffee, and Bababudangiris Arabica Coffee. There were also international brands such as MilkLab (Australia), Astoria Coffee Machines (Italy), and Probat Coffee Roasters (Germany).
IICF had parallel workshops on Farm to Cup: Post-Harvest Processing 101; Robusta Tasting: Processing Methods; Roasting Fundamentals: Profile Building & Tasting; Coffee Species Showcase & Guided Tasting; Manual Brewing and Espresso Brewing; and Marketing Specialty Coffee: Storytelling & Tasting;
There were panel discussions on a range of provocative topics: Why Biodiversity Is the Foundation of Coffee’s Future; and The New Coffee Farmer: Balancing Yield, Quality, and Profit in a Changing Market.
Many visitors said they appreciated the opportunity to learn about coffee trends and network with coffee lovers and industry professionals. “Exhibitors were pleased with the promotion of the shared vision and passion of the industry,” Appadurai adds.
She explains that the Australia delegation places IICF right up there along with other global events such as World of Coffee Dubai, World of Coffee Indonesia, World of Coffee Bangkok, FHA Singapore, and Melbourne International Coffee Expo.
“The festival was a rich source of inspiration and strategic thinking. One initiative already taking shape for the next edition is a dedicated micro-lot auction for roasters, an exciting development that we believe will add significant value to the specialty coffee ecosystem,” Appadurai says.
Last year, Nestlé India strengthened its premium at-home offering by bringing Nespresso to the country. “With this, we cater to consumers seeking super premium coffee experiences at home,” says Sunayan Mitra, Director – Coffee and Beverages, Nestlé India.
It has expanded its NESCAFÉ Ready-to-Drink cold coffee portfolio, and developed NESCAFÉ Ice Roast. At IIFC, it showcased Duo Gusto, a pioneering solution that dispenses both hot and cold beverages from a single machine. “Innovation in cold beverages is equally central to Nestlé’s out-of-home strategy,” he adds.
Next year’s IICF will have more stalls. “We would like to secure a larger venue, and significantly increase our international visitor footprint. The vision is to position IICF as a truly world-class destination event for the global specialty coffee industry,” Appadurai describes.
“Coffee is an experience, not merely a beverage We are witnessing a meaningful shift from coffee as a functional caffeine fix to coffee as a lifestyle and cultural statement,” observes Komal Sable, Co-Founder, South India Coffee Company.
Gen Z is driving experimentation and discovery. “Younger consumers are far more open to exploring new formats and alternative milk pairings,” she adds.
Sustainability and ethical sourcing are now baseline expectations. “But they must coexist with convenience. Today’s consumer demands transparency and responsibility, delivered in formats that fit seamlessly into a fast-paced lifestyle,” Sable explains.
Coffee makers are responding to these trends and shifts. “They need to be agile, transparent, and have stronger storytelling. Responsibility must begin at the origin,” she affirms.
Producers also bear a responsibility to better educate roasters, buyers and end consumers about the expertise, risk and dedication involved in cultivating quality coffee. “When that story travels clearly through the value chain, it builds a deeper, more authentic respect for origin,” Sable suggests.
Coffee thus lends itself well to purpose-led enterprise. “It brings together agriculture, branding, community, and commerce in a deeply meaningful way. The growth of specialty coffee and direct-to-consumer models has also lowered the barriers to entry,” she says.
More women are stepping into roles that were historically male-dominated. “These include estate leadership, green buying, roasting, and supply chain management,” she observes, citing diverse examples from Kaveri Coffee, Coromandel Coast, Sangameshwar Coffee, and Coffee Mechanics.
“Creating intentional platforms that spotlight women in coffee is essential not only for representation but also for building lasting confidence, access and opportunity within the ecosystem,” Sable emphasises.
Coffee today is not simply about selling a beverage. “It is about shaping culture. And women are trailblazing that shift in remarkable ways across every level of the industry,” she says with pride.
However, the coffee industry is facing challenges like unpredictable rainfall, rising temperatures, and shifting crop cycles that directly affect quality, yields and costs at origin. “Supporting producers and investing in long-term ecosystem partnerships is not a choice — it is essential to the future of coffee,” she cautions.
SCAI and the Coffee Board of India are committed to driving knowledge transfer within the industry. “We will have expanded workshops, masterclasses and curated learning experiences. The best is very much yet to come,” Appadurai signs off.
Now what have you done today to pause in your busy schedule and harness your creative side for a better world?
(All photographs taken by Madanmohan Rao on location at IICF 2026.)
source: http://www.yourstory.com / Your Story / Home> Food & Beverages / by Madanmohan Rao / March 08th, 2026
Coffee Board of India CEO and Secretary M Kurma Rao on Monday said coffee exports for the year 2024-25 stood at $1.8billion.
Till February 1, 2026, coffee exports for 2025-26 were at $1.72billion.(File Photo)
Bengaluru :
The Coffee Board is leaving no stone unturned in tapping the domestic and international sector to make profits, and is looking to cross last fiscal’s export target and change market trends.
Coffee Board of India CEO and Secretary M Kurma Rao on Monday said coffee exports for the year 2024-25 stood at $1.8billion. Till February 1, 2026, exports for 2025-26 were at $1.72billion. “We are expecting to cross last year’s export figure. This will be achieved in the last few days, before end of March 2026,” he said.
Board data showed exports from January-December 2025 at $2billion. Coffee production for the year 2024-25 was 3.63 lakh tonnes. Of the total coffee produced, 70 per cent is exported and 30 per cent is for domestic consumption. A slow rise in domestic consumption is being noted. Data also showed Bengaluru gradually becoming the coffee capital of India and Asia.
Rao said all efforts are being made to increase export, production, productivity and coffee quality. Different strategies are being adopted, including water augmentation, special irrigation schemes and replacement and consolidation plantation. He was speaking to the media after announcing the second edition of the three-day India International Coffee Festival (IICF) from February 12 in Bengaluru.
Rao said Indian coffee is gaining recognition for its quality and diversity. The event will provide a platform to showcase the importance of Indian coffee and help build connections with producers, markets and encourage best practices.
“Our USP is two-tier shade grown coffee and crop diversification. We have ecologically sustainable models. Last December, two new Arabica coffee varieties were launched — Suraksha and Shatabdi. They are pest-resilient and high-yielding varieties. This brings the total to 18 Indian coffee varieties. We are also working on creating a unique coffee gene pool by getting species and varieties from across the globe. We are also working with Indian embassies and diaspora to increase our reach,” Rao said.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Karnataka / by Express News Service / February 10th, 2026
India International Coffee Festival 2026 in Bengaluru from Feb 12. Showcasing India”s coffee ecosystem, quality, and diversity.
pix
Bengaluru, (PTI) :
The India International Coffee Festival beginning from February 12 is expected to attract over 20,000 visitors, officials said on Monday.
The three-day festival will be held at Chamara Vajra, Jayamahal here with the support of the Specialty Coffee Association of India (SCAI), Coffee Board of India and presented by NESCAFA, Nestle India, they said.
The festival brings together the entire spectrum of India’s coffee ecosystem on a single platform, officials said.
Addressing a press conference here, Kurma Rao M, CEO and Secretary, Coffee Board of India termed the India International Coffee Festival (IICF) as the country’s only dedicated coffee festival.
He said IICF 2026 will convene coffee growers, processors, exporters, roasters, equipment manufacturers, cafe brands, baristas, and consumers.
Positioned as an industry-led forum, the festival focuses on collaboration, knowledge exchange, innovation, and market access at a time when India’s coffee sector is transitioning towards quality-led growth, he added.
“Indian coffee is gaining recognition for its quality and diversity. Platforms such as IICF play an important role in connecting producers with markets, encouraging best practices, and supporting the long-term growth of both domestic consumption and exports,” Rao told reporters here.
IICF organiser and SCAI president Hamsini Appadurai said, “India’s coffee sector is steadily moving from a commodity-led approach to a quality and experience-driven market.”
“This edition of IICF reflects that shift with greater scale, deeper business engagement, and a strong focus on showcasing the diversity and potential of Indian coffee across domestic and global markets,” she said.
According to a statement, the festival, which is structured around a farm-to-cup framework, offers insights into production, processing, roasting, and brewing through curated tastings, workshops, and cupping sessions.
These experiences highlight regional coffee profiles, processing techniques, and flavour development, encouraging informed consumption and a deeper appreciation for quality and traceability, it said.
The 2026 edition will also host the National Coffee Championships, where winners from regional rounds will earn the opportunity to represent India at international competitions, reinforcing India’s presence on the global coffee stage, Rao said.
Source: PTI By Rediff Money Desk, Bengaluru
DISCLAIMER – This article is from a syndicated feed. The original source is responsible for accuracy, views & content ownership. Views expressed may not reflect those of rediff.com India Limited.
source: http://www.money.rediff.com / rediff / Home> Market News / by Rediff Money Desk, Bengaluru / by PTI / February 09th, 2026
Coffee Board Rolls Out INDICOFS Standard & Certification Scheme For Domestic Coffee Industry
New Delhi : (KNN)
The Coffee Board of India on Saturday launched the Indian Coffee Sustainability (INDICOFS) Standard and Certification Scheme, marking a significant step toward strengthening sustainability practices in the domestic coffee sector.
Phased Coverage Across the Value Chain
Developed as an initiative of the Coffee Board, the INDICOFS framework is aimed at preparing Indian coffee to respond to rapidly evolving global sustainability requirements.
In its initial phase, the standard and certification scheme will apply to coffee growers, with plans to gradually extend coverage across the entire coffee value chain.
Tiered Certification Structure
The certification framework introduces three progressive levels to enable a structured transition toward sustainability.
The entry-level certification is designed primarily for smallholder growers and will be implemented directly by the Coffee Board.
The advanced levels—Levels 2 and 3—will involve independent certification bodies accredited in accordance with ISO 17065 standards.
Level 3 is envisaged to align with leading international sustainability benchmarks and is expected to be formally benchmarked against global standards over time.
Policy and Trade Implications
The scheme is the outcome of nearly a year of technical work by a Core Technical Committee constituted by the Coffee Board.
Officials indicated that the certification is intended to support sustainable production practices, facilitate exports, and help the Indian coffee industry align with emerging international regulatory requirements, including the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
Further expansion of the scope and coverage of the certification scheme is expected in the coming year as the Coffee Board works to deepen its sustainability framework for the sector.
Legend has it that India’s coffee journey began around 1600 AD when Sufi Saint Baba Budan planted seven coffee seeds brought from Mocha port in Yemen in the Baba Budan Giri hills of Chikkamangaluru, Karnataka. Initially grown as a garden crop, coffee cultivation gradually expanded, leading to the establishment of commercial plantations in the 18th century. Since then, Indian coffee has evolved into a thriving industry with a distinct global identity on the world coffee map. Indian coffee is cultivated under a unique two-tier shade system of evergreen and leguminous trees, with nearly 50 varieties enhancing soil health and biodiversity. Grown across 4.91 lakh hectares in the Western and Eastern Ghatsand the North Eastern region, coffee serves as both an environmentally sustainable and economically vital plantation crop. The coffee sector sustains the livelihoods of over two million people, who are engaged in cultivation, processing, and trade. Dominated by smallholder farmers, who account for nearly 99 percent of holdings and 70 percent of the country’s overall production, it stands as a vital pillar of India’s rural economy.
Coffee plantations also serve as vibrant spice gardens, cultivating a variety of spices alongside coffee, including pepper, cardamom, vanilla, orange, and banana. The Western Ghats, which form one of the 25 biodiversity hotspots in the world and Eastern Ghats, provide ideal conditions, with Arabica thriving in the cooler highlands and Robusta in the warmer, humid regions. India’s Robusta commands top premiums globally, while its Arabica is prized for its superior quality and distinct flavour. India is now one of the world’s leading coffee producers, ranking as the seventh-largest producer of coffee and contributing about 3.5 percent to global coffee production, according to the Coffee Board of India. India produces approximately 3.6 lakh tonnes of coffee annually, with nearly 70 percent exported to 128 countries, underscoring the growing global demand for Indian coffee.
Overview of India’s Coffee Sector
The coffee industry in India is primarily concentrated in the major coffee-growing states of Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, which collectively account for nearly 96 percent of the country’s total coffee production. Among these, Karnataka leads with a production of 2,80,275 metric tonnes (Post Blossom Estimate for 2025–26), followed by Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
India’s coffee-growing landscape is divided into 13 distinct agro-climatic zones, each with a unique identity and recognition for its coffees in global markets. These zones are categorized into three broad groups: a) traditional regions comprising Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu; b) non-traditional regions–Andhra Pradesh and Odisha; and c) the North Eastern regions, including Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura. Coffee plays a vital socio-economic role in the tribal belts of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and the North-Eastern states, offering sustainable livelihoods while promoting rural development and ecological balance. The recognised coffee regions include Anamalais (Tamil Nadu), Araku Valley (Andhra Pradesh), Bababudangiris (Karnataka), Chikkamagaluru (Karnataka), Coorg (Karnataka), Nilgiris (Tamil Nadu), Sheveroys (Tamil Nadu), Travancore (Kerala), and Wayanad (Kerala).
Regional recognition of Coffees from India
India holds Geographical Indication (GI) tags for five regional and two specialty coffees, a recognition that enhances their premium value in international trade. The country’s varied elevations, rainfall patterns, and soils conditions, contribute to the rich diversity and exceptional quality that define Indian coffee. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, has granted Geographical Indication (GI) tags to five Indian regional coffee varieties: Coorg Arabica Coffee, Wayanad Robusta Coffee, Chikmagalur Arabica Coffee, Araku Valley Arabica Coffee, and Bababudangiris Arabica Coffee. Additionally, Monsooned Malabar Robusta Coffee, a unique specialty coffee from India, has also received GI certification.
Specialty coffees represent the finest quality beans, distinguished by their exceptional flavor, aroma, and appearance. These coffees are produced through careful cultivation, selective plucking, and meticulous processing, resulting in distinctive flavours that cater to discerning consumers worldwide. Owing to their uniqueness and craftsmanship, specialty coffees fetch premium prices and form an increasingly dynamic segment of India’s coffee sector. Indian planters have mastered the art of producing globally acclaimed specialty coffees, including:
Monsooned Malabar AA – Known for its smooth, mellow flavour and low acidity, developed through a unique monsooning process along India’s western coast.
Mysore Nuggets Extra Bold – One of India’s finest Arabica coffees with large beans, rich aroma, and full-bodied flavour.
Robusta Kaapi Royale – A superior Robusta variety known for its bold flavor, excellent crema, and ideal for espresso blends.
This recognition has empowered Indian coffee producers to preserve the unique characteristics of region-specific coffees, elevate the global profile of Indian coffee, and secure better prices for their premium varieties. Collectively, these distinguished coffees reflect India’s harmony of tradition, innovation, and excellence, establishing the country as a significant player in the global coffee industry.
Establishment of the Coffee Board
In the 1940s, India’s coffee industry faced a severe crisis, caused by World War II, declining prices, and widespread infestations of pests and diseases. To safeguard and revive the sector, the Government of India enacted the “Coffee Act VII of 1942”, leading to the establishment of the Coffee Board of India under the administrative control of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The Board comprises 33 members, including the Chairman, and the Secretary, & the Chief Executive Officer along with representatives of coffee growers, traders, curing units, labor, consumers, state governments of major coffee-producing regions, and Members of Parliament. The Coffee Board’s primary mandate is to support and develop the entire coffee value chain through research and development. Technical and financial assistance, promotion in domestic and international markets. It works to improve production, productivity, and quality, expand exports for higher value realization, and strengthen infrastructure, such as drying yards and pulper units under the Integrated Coffee Development Project (ICDP).
Role of Coffee Board
The Research Department of the Coffee Board, headquartered at the Central Coffee Research Institute (CCRI) with five regional research stations, is dedicated to developing high-yielding, disease-resistant varieties and standardizing modern cultivation technologies to enhance productivity and quality. The Promotion Department focuses on expanding India’s footprint in global markets while stimulating domestic coffee consumption.
Under the Export Promotion Scheme, transit / freight assistance are provided for value-added coffees exported in retail packs as “India Brand” and for export of high-value green Coffees to far off destinations such as the USA, Japan, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, South Korea, Finland, Norway and Denmark while maintaining strong trade ties with the European Union, Russia, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The Board actively represents Indian coffee at major international trade fairs and organizes the Flavour of India – The Fine Cup Competition, to identify premium coffees and connect them to global buyers. Domestically, to boost coffee awareness and culture, the board operates a network of 12 India Coffee Houses across major cities and participates in national exhibitions and trade fairs, promoting Indian coffee and highlighting its health benefits to consumers.
Export of Coffee
India has emerged as a significant player in the global coffee trade, ranking as the fifth-largest exporter of coffee among coffee-producing nations and contributing around 5 percent of total coffee exports from Coffee producing countries worldwide. Over the past four years, India’s coffee exports have consistently exceeded USD 1 billion, reaching a record USD 1.8 billion in FY 2024–25, reflecting an impressive 40 percent growth from USD 1.29 billion in the previous year. Despite global geopolitical challenges, exports during April–September 2025 stood at USD 1.07 billion, registering a 15.5% increase over the same period in 2024. India is one of the major hubs for instant coffee production and exports, with value-added products accounting for nearly 38 percent of total coffee exports.
As one of the world’s most widely traded and consumed commodities, coffee continues to hold immense economic and cultural significance. The top 5 export destinations for Indian coffee are Italy (18.09percent), Germany (11.01percent), Belgium (7.47percent), the Russian Federation (5.28percent), and the United Arab Emirates (5.09percent). The recent surge in India’s coffee exports has strengthened the global reputation of Indian coffee and improved income realisation for growers, particularly in the key coffee-producing states.
Policy and Trade Reforms Boosting the Coffee Sector
GST Reduction on Coffee Products
The reduction of GST from 18 percent to 5 percent on coffee extracts, essences, and instant coffee is a major fiscal step for the sector. This change is expected to lower retail prices by 11–12 percent, encourage domestic consumption, and enhance profitability for small processors. The initiative will also strengthen the domestic market base and enhance India’s per capita coffee consumption.
India–United Kingdom Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)
The recently concluded India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) marks a key milestone in bilateral trade relations. The pact offers tariff advantages for Indian value-added coffees, particularly instant coffee. The United Kingdom, which already accounts for 1.7 percent of India’s coffee exports, will now provide duty-free access for Roast & Ground and instant coffee, enabling Indian exporters to compete more effectively with suppliers from Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands. The agreement establishes a robust foundation for increasing exports of value-added coffee products to the UK.
India–EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA)
The India–European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), signed on 10 March 2024 and effective from 1 October 2025, is the first Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by India to link investment with job creation. Under TEPA, Switzerland, Norway, and Iceland will offer zero percent duty on all coffee imports from India. TEPA provides the most favorable market access to Indian Coffees in the EFTA market. TEPA may help coffee exporters access premium markets in Switzerland, Norway, and Iceland, providing an opportunity to position India’s high-quality, shade-grown, handpicked, and sun-dried coffees in the EFTA market. The agreement enhances export opportunities for value-added coffee, such as roasted and instant coffees.
Fine Cup Awards: Showcasing India’s Finest Coffees
The Flavour of India – The Fine Cup Award, instituted in 2002 by the Coffee Board of India, celebrates excellence in Indian coffee and aims to place the country’s finest brews on the global map. As part of this initiative, the Coffee Board launched the Know Your Kaapi (KYK) programme in 2022–23, a specialised cup quality evaluation platform to assess and reward exceptional coffees across six categories.
In a remarkable achievement, Koraput Coffee won two Fine Cup Awards during KYK 2024, one each for the washed process and natural process categories. This recognition has enhanced he brand’s prestige and firmly positioned Koraput Coffee on India’s specialty coffee map, reflecting the rising prominence of tribal and high-altitude coffees from Odisha.
Involvement of TDCCOL in Coffee Procurement and Marketing
The Tribal Development Co-operative Corporation of Odisha Ltd. (TDCCOL), established in 1967 under the ST & SC Development Department, Government of Odisha, serves as the state’s apex cooperative institution for tribal welfare. It plays a vital role in safeguarding the economic interests of tribal communities by ensuring fair prices for Minor Forest Produce (MFP) and Surplus Agricultural Produce (SAP), while promoting sustainable livelihoods across Odisha.
Since 2019–20, TDCCOL has taken a pioneering role in coffee procurement in Koraput district, known for its ideal conditions for high-quality Arabica coffee. The organisation transitioned from centralised mandis to doorstep procurement, ensuring fair pricing and promoting financial inclusion for tribal farmers.
Key highlights:
End-to-end management: Managing the entire value chain, from procurement to drying, grading, and marketing.
Fair pricing: Annual procurement rates aligned with ICTA market prices, with direct payments to farmers’ bank accounts.
Socio-economic impact: The initiative has reduced distress migration and improved rural livelihoods.
Value addition: Launch of the “Koraput Coffee” brand on 11 September 2019, offering sustainably sourced, rich-flavored coffee now recognized nationally.
TDCCOL has established eight “Koraput Coffee” cafés across Odisha – four in Bhubaneswar, one in Puri, two in Koraput, and one at Odisha Bhavan, New Delhi, further promoting the brand’s unique identity and sustainable origins.
The Coffee Board of India also supports TDCCOL through the Integrated Coffee Development Project (ICDP), providing technical and financial assistance for infrastructure such as drying yards and coffee pulpers.
Future Outlook: Scaling New Heights in Coffee Production
India’s coffee industry is poised for robust growth, with the overall market projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.9 percent by 2028. The out-of-home coffee segment is witnessing even faster growth, expected to rise at a CAGR of 15 to 20 percent, reaching a value between US$2.6 billion and US$3.2 billion by 2028. Furthermore, the Coffee Board of India has set an ambitious goal to scale up national coffee production to 9 lakh tonnes by 2047, reinforcing India’s emergence as a leading global coffee producer.
Conclusion
India’s coffee story is one of resilience, innovation, and transformation. From the humble beginnings in the Baba Budan Giri hills to earning global acclaim, Indian coffee has evolved into a symbol of quality, sustainability, and inclusive growth. The country’s unique ecological diversity, coupled with the commitment of millions of smallholder farmers, has created a coffee landscape that blends tradition with modern enterprise. The Coffee Board of India, through its ongoing support for research, development, export promotion, and domestic market expansion, has played a pivotal role in driving this transformation.
The emergence of specialty coffees such as Monsooned Malabar, Mysore Nuggets, and Koraput Coffee has strengthened India’s reputation as a producer of premium, globally competitive varieties. The success of tribal cooperatives like TDCCOL in Odisha has exemplified how coffee can be an instrument of socio-economic empowerment and sustainable livelihood creation. Furthermore, policy measures, such as the GST reduction and free trade agreements, including the India–UK CETA and India–EFTA TEPA, have further expanded opportunities for value-added coffee exports, marking India’s growing influence in the global coffee industry.
As the industry moves forward with a clear vision to enhance production to 9 lakh tonnes by 2047, India’s coffee sector stands at the threshold of a new era. With its focus on quality, sustainability, and equitable growth, India continues to brew a success story that is deeply rooted in its soil yet celebrated worldwide.
Goal is to achieve 15% speciality coffee out of this 7 lakh tons, says Coffee Board Chairman M.J. Dinesh
Three new coffee varieties would be released by the Central Coffee Research Institute during its centenary programme next month. File | Photo Credit: The Hindu
The Coffee Board of India on Monday said it has a target to double the coffee production to over 7 lakh tonnes by 2047. India currently produces 3.5 lakh tonnes of Arabica and Robusta varieties of coffee in about 4.05 lakh hectares of land.
Board chairman M.J. Dinesh said: “The board has set an ambitious target to increase our production to 7 lakh tonnes by 2047, when India celebrates 100 years of independence. Our goal is to achieve 15% specialty coffee out of this 7 lakh tonnes.’’
According to him, to achieve this production goal, the board has chalked out a comprehensive action plan.
Speaking at the Karnataka Planters’ Association (KPA) 67th annual general meeting here, he said about 1 lakh hectares will be brought under cultivation in Odisha and Northeast States like Nagaland. “We will increase land under coffee cultivation in non-traditional areas while we will also boost yield in the coffee heartland in Karnataka,’’ Mr. Dinesh added.
New varieties
He further said three new coffee varieties would be released by the Central Coffee Research Institute (CCRI) based at Balehonnur, during its centenary programme next month. “Over the past century, our scientists have released 30 Arabica varieties and three Robusta varieties. CCRI has one of the best germ plasm of over 400 varieties,” he said.
The board was also implementing clonal propagation of Robusta coffee tissue culture plants in collaboration with Jain Irrigation, which may be released by 2026-27, he further added.
Mr. Dinesh said the board was also designing the Indian Coffee Board Sustainability Certification Scheme (INDICOFS), which would offer a distinct global identity for Indian coffees. The board also introduced IndiaCoffee App, to help growers and exporters meet global traceability compliance mandated by the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) norms, he said.
Speaking on the occasion, Karnataka Energy Minister, K.J. George urged the planters community in the State to replicate the branding success of Araku Valley coffee growers.
Bhaskar Bhat, director, Tata Sons and former managing director of Titan, said coffee growers should focus on specialty and premium coffees to cater to the large and young growing population in the domestic market.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by Mini Tejaswi / November 20th, 2025
India earns about ₹15,000 crore in foreign exchange from coffee production, and the target is to reach ₹50,000 crore by 2047, says Coffee Board member T. Kishore Kumar. | Photo Credit: FILE PHOTO
With coffee enjoying a huge global demand, Coffee Board member T. Kishore Kumar emphasised the need for the cultivation of coffee alongside other crops in Sampaje, Karike, Peraje and Chembu regions of Kodagu district.
Farmers of Sampaje, Karike, Peraje, and Chembu regions, who mostly cultivate arecanut, rubber, and pepper, should consider taking up cultivation of coffee also alongside the existing crops, suggested Mr. Kishore Kumar while addressing the 72nd All India Co-operative Week held at Peraje Primary Agricultural Co-operative Soceity premises on Friday.
The 72nd All India Co-operative Week, organised jointly by Karnataka State Co-operative Federation, Kodagu District Co-operative Union, Kodagu District Co-operative Central Bank, and Co-operation Department at Peraju in Kodagu district, focused on promoting digitisation to enhance efficiency, accountability and transparency.
Mr. Kishore Kumar pointed out that the government was encouraging coffee cultivation by extending subsidies and incentives for the crop. India produces 3.60 lakh metric tonnes of coffee annually, of which 2.30 lakh metric tonnes are exported while the remaining is traded domestically, he said.
Karnataka accounts for about 60% to 65% of India’s annual coffee production, with Kodagu district alone contributing 30%-35% while the adjoining Chikmagaluru and Hassan districts contribute 25%-30%. Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh together account for another 20%-30%, while the North Eastern States contributed about 10%-15%, he explained.
India earns about ₹15,000 crore in foreign exchange from coffee production, and the target is to reach ₹50,000 crore by 2047. He said the farmers can achieve this by reaching a production target of 7 lakh metric tonnes.
He emphasised that farmers should use drip irrigation and other methodologies to achieve high production at low cost.
With Karnataka’s coffee enjoying a huge demand, Mr. Kishore Kumar said there was a need to strengthen the co-operative sector so that loan facilities can be provided to the farmers and the economy can be strengthened.
Kodagu District Co-operative Central Bank President K P Ganapathy said there were a total of 288 co-operative societies operating in Kodagu district. Leaders of Kodagu district had established co-operatives for coffee, cardamom, honey and oranges.
Farmers receive easy loan facilities through co-operatives and must make proper use of them, he said while adding that the Co-operative Week provides an opportunity to discuss the strengths and shortcomings of the co-operative sector so that steps can be taken in the right direction.
During the co-operative week, a free health check-up camp was held. A market fair was also organized by members of Sanjeevini group, who sold vegetables and other items.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / November 14th, 2025
Officials from CBI and Founder and Co-founder of Tuensang Hills with the participants along with the officials of Land Resource Department. (morung photo)
A one-day training programme on coffee cultivation was held in Tuensang to build technical knowledge among local farmers in Nagaland.
The training, organised by Tuensang Hills Coffee in collaboration with the Coffee Board of India (CBI), was conducted at the Chang Baptist LashongThangyen (CBLT) conference hall in Tuensang Town on October 27.
The programme aimed to equip farmers with expertise in key areas, including nursery preparation, advanced farm techniques and practices, farm management, as well as harvest and post-harvest handling.
Around 30 participants took part in the session, which was facilitated by DipanjaliKemprai, Senior Liaison Officer, and N ImtisungchitImchen, Assistant Extension Officer, both from the Coffee Board’s Mokokchung office. Officials from the Land Resources Department, Tuensang, also attended the training, underscoring the department’s continued support in promoting coffee cultivation in the district.
Founder of Tuensang Hills Coffee, PangshaChingmak, said the training was initiated to empower farmers with practical skills and promote coffee as a viable livelihood option in Tuensang district. He highlighted the district’s suitable terrain and climate for coffee cultivation and emphasized plans for sustained follow-up programs and field support to assist farmers after the training.
Responding to questions, Kemprai explained that the collaboration began when Chingmak approached the Coffee Board with details of his startup, Tuensang Hills Coffee, which has been selected for incubation under AIC CCRI-CED. “Our office came forward to boost his startup by providing technical knowledge to the farmers to produce good quality coffee,” she said.
Kemprai added that the Coffee Board continues to support farmers across Nagaland through the Integrated Coffee Development Project, offering subsidies, training, and assistance from “bean to cup.” She also mentioned plans to strengthen market linkages to ensure better prices for local produce and to organize more quality-improvement trainings in the future.
On challenges faced in promoting coffee cultivation in the Northeast, Kemprai noted that small and scattered farm holdings, poor road connectivity, and limited manpower make regular monitoring difficult. To bridge communication gaps, the Board has created WhatsApp groups for quick dissemination of information and encourages farmers to access details of schemes and technical support through the official Coffee Board website.
Highlighting the growing recognition of Naga coffee, Kemprai said, “The future of Naga coffee looks promising. Many entrepreneurs and farmers are coming forward, and Nagaland coffee is gaining recognition for its organic nature and quality.” She cited the state’s achievements at the Aurora International Taste Challenge winning a silver plaque in 2021 and a gold award in 2023 as evidence of its rising reputation in the specialty coffee market.
The training concluded with interactive discussions and a call to strengthen community-based efforts for sustainable coffee cultivation in Eastern Nagaland.
source: http://www.morungexpress.com / The Morung Express / Home / by Morung Express News / October 28th, 2025
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