Where does India rank globally as a coffee producer?

India is one of the world's leading coffee producers, ranking among the major producing countries behind Brazil, Vietnam, and Colombia. Although the country is strongly associated with tea, high-quality coffee beans are grown in the mountainous regions of southern India.

Where is India's largest coffee-growing region?

Karnataka is India's largest growing region, accounting for the majority of production. Coorg and Chikmagalur are its representative districts. The region is known for environmentally conscious shade-grown cultivation, intercropped with pepper and cardamom.

What are the export trends for Indian coffee?

Exports of Indian coffee are showing strong growth, with the main destinations being European countries such as Italy, Germany, and Belgium. International recognition is also rising in the specialty coffee segment.

What future plans does the Indian government have for the coffee industry?

India's coffee authority has set out a plan to expand production, with policies to train smallholder farmers in specialty coffee cultivation and to expand exports at premium prices.

How can Japanese food and beverage companies engage with the Indian coffee market?

India's coffee market is growing in both domestic consumption and exports, and Japanese food and beverage businesses entering the market can create added value by offering high-quality local coffee. As the middle class expands, domestic demand for premium coffee is also expected to grow. We recommend building a sourcing and menu-development strategy that takes the region and variety characteristics into account.

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India's Coffee Production and Global Market Share: Key Growing Regions and Export Trends Explained

2026.03.24

Article summary

India is the world's 7th-largest coffee producer, holding about a 4% share of the global market in the 2024/25 harvest year, behind Brazil (37%), Vietnam (17%), and Colombia (8%). Production in 2025/26 is projected at 403,000 tons (up 12% year on year), with Robusta accounting for about 70% and Arabica about 30%. Karnataka holds roughly 71% of the share, and exports in the first half of 2025/26 grew 25% year on year.

This article is based on what we could verify As of August 1, 2026 in public records and news reports from India. India revises its tax rules and regulations frequently, and the details here may have changed since. When making an actual business decision, please check the latest information with primary sources such as the ministries responsible and local experts.

India's Position in the Global Coffee Market

India is the world's 7th-largest coffee producer, accounting for about 4% of the global total in the 2024/25 harvest year. It ranks among the major producing countries, following Brazil (37%), Vietnam (17%), and Colombia (8%) (source: Global Coffee Report).

Many people associate India with Darjeeling or Assam tea, but the high-quality coffee beans grown in the mountainous regions of southern India have earned strong recognition, mainly in Europe, and are gaining increasing attention in the specialty coffee sector.

Production Trends and the Latest 2025 Data

Growth in Production Volume

According to the India Coffee Board, coffee production in 2025/26 is expected to reach 403,000 tons, an increase of about 12% from 360,000 tons in 2024/25 (source: Credlix).

Production Share by Variety

In India, Robusta accounts for about 70% of production and Arabica for about 30%. Robusta is grown mainly in the lowlands of Kerala and is in demand as a raw material for instant coffee and blends. Arabica is grown in the highlands of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and is known for its more delicate flavor.

A 10-Year Plan to Double Production

The India Coffee Board has drawn up a national plan to double coffee production by 2034. The policy calls for training 10,000 smallholder farmers in specialty coffee cultivation and expanding exports at premium prices (source: Drishti IAS).

Characteristics of the Major Growing Regions

Karnataka (about 71% share)

インド最大のコーヒー産地で、2024/25年の全国生産36万トンの約7割にあたる25万トン規模を生産しています。クールグ（コダグ）地区とチクマガルル地区が二大産地です。Bengaluru specialty coffee roasters and cafés are concentrated around this area. The region is known for its environmentally friendly shade-grown cultivation method, with coffee trees intercropped with pepper and cardamom.

Kerala

It produces more than about 70,000 tons a year, with Robusta cultivation predominating. Wayanad district is the main growing area, where intercropping with spices produces coffee with a distinctive aroma.

Tamil Nadu

The Nilgiri and Shevaroy hills are the growing areas here. Arabica grown at high altitude is known for its fruity flavor, and it specialty coffee is drawing attention in the market.

Other growing regions

Araku Valley in Andhra Pradesh has become world-famous for organic coffee grown by indigenous communities. Coffee cultivation has also begun on a small scale in the northeast, including in Odisha and Manipur.

Export Trends and International Market Recognition

Export Growth in 2025

According to data released by the India Coffee Board in June 2025, coffee exports in the first half of 2025/26 grew a strong 25% year on year (source: Global Coffee Report). The main export destinations are European countries such as Italy, Germany, and Belgium.

The Rise of Specialty Coffee

Indian specialty coffee is rapidly gaining attention from coffee enthusiasts worldwide. Careful cultivation methods, clear origin labeling, and distinctive processing are the key points behind its recognition. Blue Tokai, Third Wave Coffee, Indian brands such as Araku Coffee are building a growing presence in the international specialty coffee market (source: Perfect Daily Grind).

Frequently asked questions

Where does India rank globally as a coffee producer?: India is one of the world's leading coffee producers, ranking among the major producing countries behind Brazil, Vietnam, and Colombia. Although the country is strongly associated with tea, high-quality coffee beans are grown in the mountainous regions of southern India.
Which coffee varieties are mainly grown in India?: Robusta is the main variety produced, followed by Arabica. Robusta is grown in the lowlands and is in demand as a raw material for instant coffee and blends. Arabica is grown at higher altitudes and is known for its more delicate flavor.
Where is India's largest coffee-growing region?: Karnataka is India's largest growing region, accounting for the majority of production. Coorg and Chikmagalur are its representative districts. The region is known for environmentally conscious shade-grown cultivation, intercropped with pepper and cardamom.
What are the export trends for Indian coffee?: Exports of Indian coffee are showing strong growth, with the main destinations being European countries such as Italy, Germany, and Belgium. International recognition is also rising in the specialty coffee segment.
What future plans does the Indian government have for the coffee industry?: India's coffee authority has set out a plan to expand production, with policies to train smallholder farmers in specialty coffee cultivation and to expand exports at premium prices.
How can Japanese food and beverage companies engage with the Indian coffee market?: India's coffee market is growing in both domestic consumption and exports, and Japanese food and beverage businesses entering the market can create added value by offering high-quality local coffee. As the middle class expands, domestic demand for premium coffee is also expected to grow. We recommend building a sourcing and menu-development strategy that takes the region and variety characteristics into account.

Business opportunities for Japanese companies

India's coffee market is growing on both fronts, expanding domestic consumption and rising exports. When Japanese ramen chains and sushi restaurants expand into India, offering high-quality local coffee is also a way to create added value.

In addition, Health consciousness As interest in this grows, matcha developing a new beverage category that blends this with Indian coffee is also worth considering. middle-class As this expands, domestic demand for premium coffee is expected to grow further going forward.

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