This spike, amidst stable Arabica pricing, signals a boon for Indian growers, leveraging robusta’s affordability.
India’s Robusta Coffee Prices Hit Record High in Century-Old Industry (Photo Source: Pexels.com)
India’s coffee industry is experiencing a remarkable upswing with robusta coffee bean prices hitting an all-time high of Rs 10,080 per 50 kg bag, a historic milestone since the establishment of coffee estates in the Western Ghats region during the 1860s by the British. This is big news for Indian coffee growers who rely on the Robusta given its low-cost inputs.
In stark contrast to the traditionally stable pricing of Arabica coffee, renowned for its velvety shot layer, Robusta prices have remained relatively low, fluctuating between Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,500 per 50 kg bag for the past 15 years.
While export quantities witnessed a marginal decline of 2.5% at 3.88 lakh tonnes compared to 3.98 lakh tonnes in 2022-23, the Indian coffee sector reaped the benefits of soaring global robusta prices, which have reached a three-decade high due to supply disruptions in major producing countries like Vietnam and Brazil.
Commenting on this, Mr. M J Dinesh, Chairman of the Coffee Board says, “The change in the global temperature has impacted the shortage of coffee from Vietnam. The instant coffee market in India will gain from this; the same is gaining popularity too. Moreover, small coffee growers and laborers will reap the profit. They may witness an upsurge in their daily wages.”
The increase in robusta prices resulted in a 20% rise in per unit realization for Indian exporters, reaching ₹2.7 lakh per tonne during the 2023-24 period, up from ₹2.26 lakh in the previous fiscal year.
source: http://www.krishijagran.com / Krishi Jagran / Home> News / by Mrini Devnani / April 16th, 2024
India’s coffee shipments surged 13.35% to 1,25,631 tonnes in January-March 2024, driven by robust demand for Robusta coffee. Arabica and Robusta are the two varieties grown in India, with Arabica having a smoother taste and Robusta being more bitter. Export of Robusta beans increased by 18%, while Arabica exports declined. Instant coffee exports and re-exports also saw growth. The total coffee export value during this period was Rs 3,644 crore, ..with major destinations including Italy, Russia, the UAE, Germany, and Turkey.
Coffee shipments from India rose 13.35 per cent to 1,25,631 tonnes during January-March period of this year on higher demand for Robusta coffee, according to the official data. The country had exported 1,10,830 tonnes of coffee in the same period in 2023.
India, Asia’s third-largest producer and exporter, grows Arabica and Robusta varieties of coffee.
Arabica coffee bean has lesser caffeine content than the Robusta. Arabica has a sweet and smoother taste, while the Robusta is generally more bitter and harsher on the taste buds.
According to the Coffee Board of India’s latest data, export of Robusta coffee bean rose by 18 per cent to 69,637 tonnes in the first quarter of the 2024 calendar year from 59,050 tonnes in the year-ago period.
However, the shipment of Arabica coffee bean declined to 13,419 tonnes from 15,468 tonnes in the said period.
Instant coffee exports rose 16,218 tonnes during January-March of this year as against 15,238 tonnes in the year-ago period, while re-export of coffee also increased to 26,239 tonnes from 20,952 tonnes in the said period.
In terms of value, total coffee exports were at Rs 3,644 crore during January-March of 2024, higher than Rs 2,604.44 crore achieved in the year-ago period. The unit value realisation was Rs 2,90,057 per tonne.
Italy, Russia, the UAE, Germany and Turkey are the major coffee export destinations for India.
In its post-blossom estimate, the board has projected the country’s total coffee production at 3,74,200 tonnes for the 2023-24 marketing year (October-September), higher than the actual output of 3,52,000 tonnes in the previous year.
In the full 2023 calendar year, India’s coffee exports had declined by 5.4 per cent to 3.77 lakh tonnes.
In a groundbreaking development for the coffee industry, robusta coffee prices have surged past Arabica prices to reach an unprecedented all-time high, driven by global supply shortages.
Bengaluru:
In a groundbreaking development for the coffee industry, robusta coffee prices have surged past Arabica prices to reach an unprecedented all-time high, driven by global supply shortages. The farmgate price of robusta green coffee berries soared to a record ₹172 per kg in the Wayanad market, on Wednesday marking a significant increase from ₹115 per kg during the same period last year. Additionally, the spot price of Robusta Parchment coffee beans skyrocketed to an all-time high of ₹315 per kg, compared to ₹220 per kg in March 2023. Notably, in March 2022, the rates for raw fruits and parchment stood at ₹80 and ₹145 respectively.
In the Kodagu market, the price of robusta parchment surged to Rs 14,700 per 50 kg bag, setting a new milestone. This marks the first time that the price of cherry and parchment coffee has surpassed that of Arabica. Arabica cherry coffee is currently priced between 8000-8200 per 50 kg bag, while robusta commands a higher price of over 8600 -8700 rupees.
Experts attribute this remarkable surge in prices to a combination of factors, including a surge in global demand and crop failures in leading coffee exporting countries like Brazil, Indonesia, and Vietnam due to extreme weather conditions. Despite challenges in yield, India’s coffee production is expected to reach 3.54 lakh tonnes, slightly up from last year’s production of 3.52 lakh tonnes, according to officials from the Coffee Board.
Former Coffee Board member, Dr. Sannuwanda Kaveerappa, predicts a further rise in robusta coffee prices, attributing it to crop destruction in Vietnam and Indonesia and the superior quality of Indian coffee compared to other regions. With Karnataka leading the way, accounting for 71% of the country’s coffee production, followed by Kerala (21%) and Tamil Nadu (5%), India remains a significant player in the global coffee market.
As coffee prices soar, it is anticipated that prices in hotels, restaurants, and coffee shops will witness an upward trend in the coming months, potentially impacting consumers. This price hike may prompt consumers to shift towards other alternatives like tea. Additionally, the rise in robusta prices may lead Arabica growers to consider transitioning to robusta cultivation due to its lower maintenance costs and rarity of borer infestation. Market analysts anticipate further increases in coffee prices in the coming days, with the possibility of maintaining stability even in the face of minor fluctuations.
source: http://www.thehansindia.com / Hans India / Home> News> State> Karnataka / by Coovercolly Indresh / Hans News Service / March 28th, 2024
The Coffee Board, established by the Government of India at Manasagangothri premises over five decades ago to act as a link between the cultural city and coffee growing Kodagu district, is now being silently shifted to Chettalli in Kodagu district.
The then Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade A.C. George had inaugurated the Coffee Board Office, opposite the University of Mysore (UoM) main entrance gate facing Mysuru-Bogadi Road on Feb. 4,1972 in the presence of the then UoM Vice-Chancellor Prof. D. Javaregowda (Dejagow). Since then, the Board has been working on coffee species development, bean development, seeds etc.
The Board also functioned as a training centre for Botany students of the UoM, JSS institutions and other Universities by appointing them as apprentice and providing them training on various aspects of coffee cultivation.
Now, the Board is being silently shifted to Chettalli in Kodagu and as a first step in this regard, the appointment of apprentices has been stopped.
Upon coming to know of its shifting, many apprentices of the Coffee Board have expressed disappointment over the shifting.
Pointing out that the Board was of great help to Botany students, they expressed apprehension that the shifting to Chettalli in Somwarpet taluk of Kodagu, will surely hit its infrastructure and research studies.
They demand that the authorities drop the shifting in the better interests of research studies as well as coffee growers.
Sources said that the Board may be shifted to Chettalli in June or July once the Lok Sabha polls get over. Meanwhile, Botany students too have opposed the shifting move. Noting that it is pointless to shift the Board to Somwarpet’s Chettalli, they decried the justification given by the higher authorities who say that research has taken a hit.
They also said, it is hard to believe the version of the authorities, wondering how the hurdles that were not there for over 50 years, have surfaced suddenly.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / March 23rd, 2024
Hello Folks! Sorry for being absconding for this long, got caught up in the hustle of life
Anyways, here is a fresh one and I believe its perfect to make up for the “disappearance”.
The end of 2017 was a crazy one, exhausting honestly. So to rejuvenate I planned a trip to Coorg, I have heard so many good things about the place I had to see it by myself.
Trust me it was one of the most beautiful experiences I have ever had on a trip. The place is blessed with breathtaking landscapes and wildlife. The sun rises with the lush green view of the coffee plantation that goes on for stretches is mesmerising.
Coorg is synonym to coffee and being a coffee lover I wanted to explore. Luckily enough I had a chance to meet Mr. Bharath who runs a coffee plantation there. He is certified by coffee board of India as a Roaster and Barista and also we are members of SCAA. A very passionate man who treats coffee as his treasure.
As I went around with him exploring the coffee estates I witnessed how much love, passion and hard work goes into our early morning cuppa.
To make the best coffee available to all of us as fresh as it can get Bharath has started an online portal http://www.crazybeancompany.com/ where Natural processed coffee is available. The best part of it all is that the order can be custom roasted and grounded as per your requirement. I had to share the details afterall we all deserve our good blissful cup of coffee.
In his words –
“Farmers by birth, roasters by choice and business people by accident. We love our food and drink and we enjoy making it for others as well. There’s an old saying- “if you’re good at something don’t do it for free” so we started The Crazy Bean Company.
We can tell you that our farm in the heartland of Kodagu is irrigated by a freshwater spring, fertilised by wild animals and birds, the fruits are serenaded by classical music and caressed of their stems on maturity. Well, the classical music part isn’t true everything else is. We also follow modern, scientific and sustainable methods of farming, which means absolutely no pesticides.“
So here you go guys! Hope I am helping out some of my travellers & coffee loving friends.
Cheers !
source: http://www.apurvapriyadarshini.wordpress.com / Home> Shoe-Syrup-Shushi / posted in ‘ On the Road / by Apurva Priyadarshini / December 25th, 2017
Price of robusta coffee has dropped due to supply shortage and global factors.
Farm workers harvesting coffee beans at a plantation in Wayanad district of Kerala. | Photo Credit: E.M. MANOJ
The robusta coffee farmers in south India are jubilant post-harvest with their produce fetching an all-time high price.
The farmgate price of raw robusta coffee berries touched a record ₹172 a kg in Wayanad market on Saturday, as against ₹115 a kg during the corresponding period last year. Meanwhile, spot price of robusta coffee beans stood at ₹315 a kg, up from ₹210 during the same period in 2023. The price was ₹80 and ₹145 a kg for raw berries and beans respectively in March 2022.
Though the harvest is almost complete, there has been a huge shortfall in the supply of coffee to the market this year, thereby contributing to the increase in coffee prices, says sources.
Multiple factors
“We expect a decline of 30% in the production of robusta this year owing to climatic vagaries, especially the scanty blossom shower in robusta growing regions last year,” sources said.
A sharp decline in production of robusta coffee — nearly 2 million bags — in Vietnam, a major Robusta coffee growing country, has also attributed to the increase in price, the sources added. Robusta coffee production in Indonesia too dipped sharply this year, the sources added.
Notably, the price of Arabica variety of coffee has dropped below the price of robusta coffee. The farmgate price of the Arabica variety coffee was ₹305 per kg on Saturday. Though the Arabica variety always fetched a premium price in the market, it is the robusta variety that is witnessing an increase due to its low availability for the first time.
Farmers suspect that the production may decline by 25% to 30% next year too owing to a dearth of backup showers in many robusta coffee growing areas in the country.
Wayanad in Kerala, which is the largest robusta coffee producing district in the country after Coorg in Karnataka, received a rainfall of 29.3 mm in the first week of January. Major parts of the district received no rain since then.
The January showers helped in the blossoming of robusta coffee plants, farmers say. But the absence of backup showers, a major factor in the formation of berries, is a concern.
According to Coffee Board of India, the total production of coffee in the country during the 2022-23 fiscal was 3,52,000 tonnes, including 2,52,000 tons of robusta coffee.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Kerala / by E M Manoj / March 24th, 2024
Postal covers on seashell artist Radha Mallappa from Mysuru and ‘Coffee Pudi’ Sakamma from Kodagu released
Mysore/Mysuru:
As part of its ongoing effort to redefine ‘connecting people’ in the online era, the Karnataka Postal Circle organised its annual State-level Philatelic Exhibition — 13th State-level Philatelic Exhibition, Karnapex 2024: Festival of Stamps between Jan. 5 and 8 — at Kanteerava Indoor Stadium in Bengaluru. The Festival was last held in 2019 in Mangaluru.
A total of 700 frames, with each containing multiple stamps and postal covers, were displayed and 17 stalls were put up. Postal covers on Dr. Puneeth Rajkumar, Sir M. Visvesvaraya setting up FKCCI, 100 years of Lalitha Mahal Palace, Mysuru and Mysore Sandal Soap were also released.
Notably, postal covers on ‘Kalashree’ a museum of artworks made of seashells and conches by Radha Mallappa, a resident of Hanumanthanagar in Mysuru and Karnataka’s first woman coffee entrepreneur Sakamma from Kodagu, known as ‘Coffee Pudi’ Sakamma were also released, as part of women empowerment.
Addressing reporters at Pathrakartara Bhavan on Tuesday, Mysuru Division Postal Deputy Superintendent Sunil Halepete said that Mysuru has already made a mark in the postal covers released by the Dept. in the past as postal covers of Lalitha Mahal Palace, Rashtrakavi K.V. Puttappa (Kuvempu), Mysuru Vilyadele and Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa.
This year, the Karnapex 2024 featured Radha Mallappa who has done sculptures made of seashells and conches. She has accomplished the magnificent recreation of Taj Mahal and she has been working on products of the sea since more than two decades and designed different items.
‘Coffee Pudi’ Sakamma
Beginning from the smallest flower to the giant-sized Taj Mahal, Shiva temple, church, each piece is unique and eye-catching. The 11ft x 18ft tall Ganesha idol bagged the Guinness World Records. Each artefact is better than the other one and there are over 300 models on display, he added.
Likewise, a postal cover on D. Sakamma, popular as ‘Coffee Pudi’ Sakamma, was also released. Sakamma’s name remains somewhat obscured in the records of Indian entrepreneurs. However, her venture, ‘Sakamma’s Coffee Works’ in Bangalore gained widespread recognition in the 1920s, playing a pivotal role in the early 20th century by introducing authentic cured and powdered coffee from Kodagu to the residents of the Princely State of Mysore. Widowed at the age of 18, Sakamma chose to channel her education into managing the coffee estate left by her husband, Savkar Doddamane Chikkabasappa Setty, a prosperous coffee planter from Somwarapet in Kodagu. Relocating to Bangalore, she established a coffee curing and powdering unit near Bull Temple Road in 1920. Swiftly, her distinctive coffee blend gained immense popularity across the city, making Sakamma Coffee Works an integral part of the lives of Bangaloreans.
The attractive postal covers feature Radha Mallappa and ‘Coffee Pudi’ Sakamma with imagery of their respective fields of achievements. A short description has been printed at the back of the postal cover.
Marimallappa’s PU College Educational Officer Mangala Muddumadappa, Radha Mallappa, Postal Department Sales Division Manager Sureshkumar were present at the press meet.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / January 11th, 2024
Beans n’ Brews Café is a popular café located in Coorg, Karnataka, India. It’s known for its relaxed and cozy ambiance, making it a favorite spot for both locals and tourists to unwind and enjoy a cup of freshly brewed coffee.
Amidst Coorg’s embrace, where coffee beans twirl, Beans n’ Brews Café, where aroma unfurls, In villanelle verses, their essence we’ll swirl.
Mocha Magic: Espresso Dreams’ Reign
In the heart of the brew, where darkness swirls, Mocha Magic, where espresso dreams reign, A velvety dance, in each cup’s domains.
Latte’s Lullaby: Milky Way’s Whirl
In the creamy stream, where milk does unfurl, Latte’s Lullaby, Milky Way’s whirl, A comforting sip, where foam’s gentle swirl.
Caramel Symphony: Macchiato’s Frame
With caramel’s kiss, where sweetness does swirl, Caramel Symphony, Macchiato’s frame, A bittersweet tale, in each sip, we proclaim.
Muffin’s Embrace: Blueberry’s Theme
By the muffin’s side, where flavors unfurl, Muffin’s Embrace, Blueberry’s theme, A crumbly delight, in each bite, we esteem.
Croissant’s Charm: Chocolate’s Gleam
In flaky layers, where butter does swirl, Croissant’s Charm, Chocolate’s gleam, A warm pastry hug, in each bite, we redeem.
Cookie’s Reverie: Oatmeal’s Beam
With a cookie’s crunch, where flavors whirl, Cookie’s Reverie, Oatmeal’s beam, A wholesome treat, in each nibble, we deem.
At Beans n’ Brews Café’s table, where moments unfurl, These dishes, in villanelle, their essence we swirl, In Coorg’s heart, where coffee’s embrace does twirl, A poetic feast, where each sip is a pearl.
A villanelle is a highly structured form of poetry known for its repetition of lines and intricate rhyme scheme. This structure challenges poets to craft poems that are both emotionally resonant and artistically intricate, making it a captivating form of poetic expression.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> News> Blogs> Lifestyle / by Food connoisseur in Symphony of Tales / September 10th, 2023
Tucked in a hidden valley down a winding clay road some 5 kilometres from Karnataka’s town of Madikeri (in the Coorg district) lies the Garden Farm. On the fringes of the valley is where the bungalow is placed, marking the beginning of a dense forest shading coffee plants. It is here a close-knit family has set up a sanctuary for fellow nature lovers, giving them a place where they can truly enjoy the beauty of the Coorg landscape without obtrusive power-lines and the cacophony of buses blaring Top Forty Kannada music. And if you don’t love nature, well, they don’t want you to find their guesthouse.
Off The Beaten Track
Even after we drove our Enfields down a long, winding forest trail with steep inclines (only jeeps and bikes can make the journey during monsoon season) and crossed a wide green valley, we could barely make out the large guest house standing 25 meters away as the view of the facade is obscured by a beautiful line of flowering trees and bushes. Basically, this valley villa could be a Pablo Escobar Bungalow, just substitute the cocaine and machine guns with a sense of true tranquility.
A personal pond right outside our doorstep.
Nourishing Yourself In Nature
Everything we ate and drank at the Garden Farm was locally sourced and organic, even the water. Yes, the hill station home boasted fresh mineral water from a well. At first we were skeptical, but the water was completely safe and had a naturally sweetness that is absent in packaged mineral water.
Moreover, on the property the family behind the Garden Farm grow fresh coffee, pepper, cardamom, pineapples, bananas, rice, mangosteens, jackfruit, various types of mangoes, oranges, a type of plum among myriad other plants and trees the author is clueless about.
The farm is home to a large grove of pineapples.
The caretaker of the guesthouse trotted across the valley every morning, brewed a pot of lovely coffee and was happy to take us around the many forest paths on the property, encouraging us to pluck whatever fruit struck our fancy on the stroll. However, the best part was that all our meals were delicious and straight from the farm – their pork fry was to die for.
Also, as a someone who frequently abuses beetroot for being a useless and unappetising vegetable, I devoured three portions of the cooked veggie. To sum up the experience of eating at Garden farm, our tastebuds were more than content.
The Garden Farm was made for lazily turning the pages of novels, going on forest walks, bonding over bonfires, playing a boardgame or a bit of carrom, and fishing in the pond or stream. Not to come off as poetically pedantic, but each breath taken at the Garden Farm filled our lungs with an at ease contentment that is rarity for urban dwellers.
Leaning back with a good book and an even better view.
We saw the caretaker of the guesthouse climb to the top of a 40 foot tree with no rope that was covered in fire ants. When he came down later and crossed the valley he just beamed us his ordinary smile. It is important to say his smile is like that of a child who has secret, and I have a funny feeling each day we marvelled at that man’s life, he very politely marvelled back at ours.
The choice he made to live out his days on farm was simple and smart. To live in the midst of beauty. Our decision to live in plaster cubes with a view of an army of other plastic cubes is perhaps not the most beautiful of choices. It is not safer either. Even though we thought he was insane for climbing the tree with zero protection, the chances of him falling is most likely equal to the chance a city person will get hit by a delivery driver. Rest was not the only thing gained at the Garden Farm, a bit of perspective was also an added bonus.
Hill station happiness (The caretaker and his lovely son Kavin).
Interiors Of The Hidden Garden Cabin
Sleep at the Garden Farm meant silence took on a whole new meaning. The top part of the house was open air which meant we got a refreshing hill breeze; however, this of course meant the mosquito nets were essential.
The wooden flooring and staircase made the bungalow take on a homey cabin feel. Moreover, the second floor hosted several cushioned floor mats which were perfect for afternoon naps. Also, we got to dig into a wonderful and comprehensive selection of good reads!
Afternoon nap upstairs.
Wooden staircase.
A Final Look Back
If you love nature or feel like you need some time to take in the great outdoors, the Garden Farm beckons.
Crouching amoung the bushes to try and capture a full frontal view of the home.
source: http://www.homegrown.co.in / Homegrown / Home> #HGExplore / by Julian Manning / June 08th, 2021
Thousands of farmers in South Kodagu now look forward to better yield as Gonikoppal gets a new digital soil testing centre. The Coffee Board launched the testing centre last week following demands of farmers and growers.
Earlier, farmers of Virajpet taluk had to travel 50 to 70 kms to give soil for testing centres at Chettalli and Koodige and both the centres are in Somwarpet Taluk. Farmers in Virajpet were deprived of a testing centre.
Coffee Board Senior Liaison Officer said it took two hours to find the potential of hydrogen (PH) value of soil and five hours to find nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) in soil.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / December 28th, 2017
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