Robusta and instant coffee drive growth even as arabica shipments decline sharply; export value and realisations also improve
India’s coffee exports increased 26.6 per cent to 1.74 lakh tonne during January–April 2026, compared with 1.37 lakh tonne in the same period last year, supported primarily by stronger shipments of robusta beans and instant coffee, according to government data.
In value terms, exports rose to Rs 936.57 crore from Rs 757.07 crore a year ago, while unit realisation improved slightly to Rs 4,94,766 per tonne from Rs 4,75,023 per tonne.
Robusta exports recorded a sharp 36 per cent jump to 85,168 tonne in the January–April period, up from 62,736.92 tonne a year earlier. Instant coffee shipments also increased to 20,332 tonne from 17,504 tonne, as per Coffee Board data. Re-exports of instant coffee rose to 38,169 tonne from 30,274 tonne during the same period.
In contrast, arabica exports declined sharply by 58 per cent to 30,589 tonne from 72,479 tonne a year ago.
Overall, India had exported 3.82 lakh tonne of coffee in calendar year 2025.
Experts noted that the country’s coffee sector is entering 2026 with renewed momentum, with India’s role in the global coffee market expanding beyond its traditional image as a robusta-heavy exporter. They pointed to record production estimates, higher export value realisations, increased imports for processing and steady domestic consumption as indicators of a sector undergoing structural change.
The Coffee Board of India’s post-blossom estimate for 2025–26 (October–September) pegs total output at a record 4,03,000 tonne, with gains expected across Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Arabica production is projected at around 1,18,000 tonne, while robusta output is likely to exceed 2,84,000 tonne, driven by better yields and improved moisture conditions.
However, the sector continues to face risks from weather volatility and climate-related disruptions, which remain key concerns for long-term stability.
