Why in news?
In his radio programme on 26 October 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Indian coffee varieties for gaining popularity worldwide. This drew attention to the history, geography and economic significance of coffee in India.
Background
According to legend, the coffee plant reached India in the early 17th century when Sufi saint Baba Budan smuggled seven coffee seeds from Mocha, Yemen, and planted them in the hills of Karnataka. Commercial plantations began in the 18th century under European planters. Today India is among the world's top coffee producers, cultivating both Arabica and Robusta varieties. The Coffee Board of India, established by the Coffee Act of 1942, oversees research, extension and promotion of coffee cultivation and exports. Its Central Coffee Research Institute (CCRI), founded in 1925, conducts breeding and agronomic research.
Key points
- Production and area: Coffee is grown over about 4.90 lakh hectares in India and produced 3.63 lakh metric tonnes of beans in 2024-25. Traditional coffee-growing regions lie on the slopes of the Western Ghats in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. In recent decades, cultivation has expanded to non-traditional areas in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and parts of the North-East. Approximately 80 percent of Indian coffee is produced by smallholders.
- Varieties and climate: India grows both Arabica and Robusta coffee. Arabica beans have a mild flavour and higher market value but require cool temperatures (15-25 °C), high elevations (1,000-1,500 m) and more shade. Robusta is hardier and grows at lower elevations (500-1,000 m) in hotter (20-30 °C), more humid conditions. Due to pest pressures such as the white stem borer, many farmers have shifted from Arabica to Robusta in recent decades.
- Exports and economics: Coffee is predominantly an export crop; about 70 percent of production is shipped to more than 120 countries, earning around US $1.80 billion in 2024-25. Europe is the largest market, with Italy and Germany being major buyers. India ranks around sixth in the world for coffee exports. The rise of specialty coffee shops and online retailers has increased domestic consumption.
- Coffee Board and research: The Coffee Board operates research, marketing and development committees and runs the CCRI in Karnataka. India's national breeding programme focuses on developing disease-resistant and climate-resilient varieties. Collaborations with World Coffee Research help test international varieties and develop genotyping tools.
- Environmental aspects: Indian coffee is typically shade-grown under a canopy of trees and often intercropped with spices like cardamom and black pepper. Such agroforestry systems conserve soil, water and biodiversity. However, climate change poses risks through erratic rainfall and increased pest pressure.
Conclusion
Coffee cultivation has been part of India's agricultural landscape for over three centuries. With rising global demand for quality beans and growing domestic interest, investing in research, climate-resilient farming and value-added processing will help Indian coffee farmers thrive.
Sources: Indian Express; World Coffee Research.