Indian coffee exports reach 140+ nations in FY26, GI-tagged growers see 34% value surge
Synopsis
India's coffee export story has quietly turned into a premium play — GI-tagged Arabica values jumped 34% and Robusta 29% in a single year, while the country's reach extended to unlikely new buyers like Micronesia and Timor-Leste. With 140-plus nations now importing Indian coffee, the question is whether farm-level support under ICDP can keep pace with the global demand being generated.
Key Takeaways
Indian coffee was exported to more than 140 countries during FY2025–26 , including new markets such as Djibouti , Micronesia , and Timor-Leste .
Average export unit values of GI-registered Arabica and Robusta coffees rose by 34.36% and 29.73% respectively compared to FY2024–25 . 'Wayanad Robusta Coffee' holds a Geographical Indication (GI) registration; the Coffee Board is its Authorised User Registrar.
The Integrated Coffee Development Project (ICDP) supports small and tribal farmers through capacity building, training, and generic branding under the 'Coffees of India' label.
The Coffee Board has participated in 41 international trade fairs since 2018–19 to promote Indian coffees globally.
Indian coffee reached more than 140 countries during FY2025–26, the government informed the Lok Sabha on Thursday, 6 August, highlighting a marked expansion into both emerging and new markets while average export values of GI-registered coffees climbed sharply year-on-year. The disclosure came in a written reply by Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada in response to a question raised by Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
New Markets and Expanding Reach
Among the markets recording significant growth were the United Arab Emirates, Libya, Australia, South Korea, Egypt, Kuwait, and the United Kingdom. India also broke into entirely new export destinations, including Djibouti, Micronesia, and Timor-Leste, signalling a deliberate push to diversify beyond traditional buyers. The breadth of this reach — spanning Africa, the Pacific, and Southeast Asia — reflects a sustained effort to premiumise and globalise Indian coffee.
GI-Tagged Coffee: Rising Values and Board Initiatives
The average export unit values of GI-registered Arabica and Robusta coffees rose by 34.36% and 29.73%, respectively, in FY2025–26 compared to the previous year — a notable jump that underscores growing international appetite for origin-specific Indian varieties. Minister Prasada noted that the Coffee Board of India serves as the Authorised User Registrar for GI-tagged coffees and conducts regular awareness programmes on GI user registration across the coffee value chain.
Notably, 'Wayanad Robusta Coffee' holds Geographical Indication (GI) registration — a detail of particular relevance given that the question was raised in the context of the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency. The Coffee Board organises GI coffee tasting sessions, Buyer-Seller Meets, and participates in coffee-centric trade fairs and food and beverage events to promote these tagged varieties.
Support for Small and Tribal Farmers
Under the Integrated Coffee Development Project (ICDP), the Coffee Board extends development support to growers, including small and tribal coffee farmers. The scheme covers capacity building, entrepreneurship development, barista skills training, and generic branding under the 'Coffees of India' label — retail packs that carry the logo and a 'Made in India' designation. Gourmet GI Coffee Gift Boxes have also been developed in collaboration with Indian Missions abroad to raise domestic and international visibility.
International Trade Presence
The Coffee Board has participated in 41 international trade fairs since 2018–19, complementing its domestic efforts through the India GI Fair, GI Mahotsav, and dedicated GI Pavilions at national and international exhibitions. This sustained trade-fair footprint has been a key driver of the premium positioning Indian coffee is increasingly commanding in global markets.
With export unit values rising steeply and new geographies opening up, the trajectory for Indian GI coffee appears upward — though sustaining these gains will depend on consistent quality standards and continued institutional support for growers at the farm level.
Point of View
But the headline numbers risk obscuring a structural challenge: the benefits of premiumisation must flow back to the small and tribal growers who produce these varieties, not just to exporters and intermediaries. The ICDP scheme is the right vehicle, but its scale relative to the size of India's coffee-farming population remains limited. Wayanad's inclusion in this parliamentary exchange is also telling — it signals that GI certification is increasingly being framed as a political deliverable, not just a trade tool. Whether that political attention translates into sustained on-ground investment, or fades between election cycles, will determine whether India's coffee premium story holds.
NationPress
7 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many countries does India export coffee to?
India exported coffee to more than 140 countries during FY2025–26, according to a government statement in the Lok Sabha. New destinations added include Djibouti, Micronesia, and Timor-Leste, alongside expanded volumes to markets such as the UAE, Australia, South Korea, and the UK.
What is GI-tagged coffee and why does it matter?
Geographical Indication (GI) tagging certifies that a coffee variety originates from a specific region with distinct qualities tied to that origin — for example, 'Wayanad Robusta Coffee.' It matters because GI certification commands higher prices internationally; in FY2025–26, GI-registered Arabica and Robusta export values rose 34.36% and 29.73% respectively.
What is the Integrated Coffee Development Project (ICDP)?
The ICDP is a Coffee Board of India scheme that supports coffee growers — including small and tribal farmers — through capacity building, entrepreneurship development, barista skills training, and generic branding under the 'Coffees of India' label. It also funds participation in international trade fairs and GI promotion activities.
Why was Wayanad specifically mentioned in the Lok Sabha discussion?
The question was raised by Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who represents the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency. Minister Jitin Prasada confirmed that 'Wayanad Robusta Coffee' is GI-registered and that Coffee Board initiatives, including ICDP support, extend to growers in that constituency.
How many international trade fairs has the Coffee Board participated in?
The Coffee Board of India has participated in 41 international trade fairs since 2018–19 to promote Indian coffees globally. Domestically, it also organises the India GI Fair, GI Mahotsav, and GI Pavilions at national and international exhibitions.
