India's coffee exports rose 26.6 per cent to 1.74 lakh tonne in the January-April period of 2026, mainly driven by higher shipments of robusta and instant coffee, government data showed.

The country had exported 1.37 lakh tonne of coffee in the year-ago period. India ships arabica and robusta varieties, as well as instant coffee.

In value terms, total exports rose to ₹936.57 crore from ₹757.07 crore a year ago, while unit value realisation edged higher to ₹4,94,766 per tonne from ₹4,75,023 per tonne.

Robusta exports climbed 36 per cent to 85,168 tonne in January-April from 62,736.92 tonne in the year-ago period, while instant coffee shipments rose to 20,332 tonne from 17,504 tonne, Coffee Board data showed.

Re-exports of instant coffee increased to 38,169 tonne from 30,274 tonne.

Arabica exports, however, fell 58 per cent to 30,589 tonne from 72,479 tonne a year ago.

India exported 3.82 lakh tonne of coffee in the 2025 calendar year.

Experts said India's coffee sector is entering 2026 with renewed momentum, with the country's role in the global coffee economy evolving beyond its traditional identity as a robusta supplier.

Record production estimates, rising export values, higher imports for processing and steady domestic consumption growth point to an industry at an inflection point, they said.

The Coffee Board of India's post-blossom estimate for 2025-26 (October-September) projects output at a record 4,03,000 tonne, with gains expected across the three major producing states of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Arabica production is forecast to rise to approximately 1,18,000 tonne, while robusta output could exceed 2,84,000 tonne, driven by improved yields and better moisture availability.

Weather volatility and climate risk, however, remain key concerns for the sector.

Published on May 5, 2026