Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormGreen (Unroasted), Dried
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
Green coffee beans are a major plantation crop in India, traditionally concentrated along the Western Ghats in Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, with cultivation also expanding into non-traditional areas such as Andhra Pradesh (Araku Valley), Odisha, and parts of the North East. The Coffee Board of India characterizes coffee as a predominantly export-oriented commodity, with a majority share of production exported and the remainder consumed domestically. India produces both Arabica and Robusta, with distinct harvest windows that shape seasonal availability of green coffee lots for export programs. For EU-bound trade, the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) creates a high-impact compliance and traceability requirement (including plot geolocation) that can directly affect market access.
Market RoleMajor producer and exporter (export-oriented with domestic consumption)
Domestic RoleDomestic consumption market supported by plantation production; remainder after exports consumed in-country
SeasonalitySeasonal supply is driven by the main harvest windows: Arabica harvest typically runs November–January and Robusta harvest typically runs December–February, supporting peak green coffee availability during and shortly after these periods.
Specification
Secondary Variety- Arabica (Coffea arabica)
- Robusta (Coffea canephora)
- S.795 (Arabica selection)
- Cauvery (Catimor; Arabica line)
- Kents (Arabica variety)
- S.274 (Robusta selection)
- CxR (Congensis × Robusta hybrid)
- Peridenia (Robusta type referenced by Coffee Board regional profiles)
Physical Attributes- Indian green coffee trade commonly distinguishes washed coffees (parchment/plantation) from unwashed coffees (cherry) across Arabica and Robusta.
- Coffee Board export registration references grade groupings aligned to ICO target standards and includes size/grade and defect-related categories (e.g., PB, AA, A, B/C and categories such as Blacks/Browns/Bits for non-target grades).
- Coffee Board guidance emphasizes careful drying and sorting to remove defective beans (e.g., pulper-cuts, naked beans, blacks) before storage and dispatch to curing works.
Compositional Metrics- Coffee Board guidance instructs drying coffee to prescribed moisture/test-weight standards and avoiding re-wetting during drying and storage to protect quality.
Grades- Washed Arabica: Arabica Parchment (Plantation) — grades such as PB/AA/A/B/C and related defect categories
- Unwashed Arabica: Arabica Cherry — grades such as PB/AA/A/AB/C/Bulk and related defect categories
- Washed Robusta: Robusta Parchment — grades such as PB/A/AB/C/Bulk and related defect categories
- Unwashed Robusta: Robusta Cherry — grades such as PB/AA/A/AB/C/Bulk/Clean Bulk and related defect categories
- Specialty grades referenced by Coffee Board: Monsooned Malabar (Arabica), Mysore Nuggets Extra Bold, Robusta Kaapi Royale, monsooned Robusta grades
Packaging- Coffee Board guidance recommends storing dried coffee in clean gunny (jute) bags in well-ventilated, clean godowns free from dampness and contamination.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Selective harvesting → primary processing (washed/parchment or unwashed/cherry) → drying → sorting of defects → storage in clean gunny bags → dispatch to curing works → curing/grading (size/shape/density; garbling) → export shipment
Atmosphere Control- Coffee Board guidance emphasizes well-ventilated, clean storage conditions free from dampness, and avoiding storage alongside fertilizers/pesticides to prevent contamination.
Shelf Life- Coffee Board guidance highlights preventing re-wetting during drying and avoiding damp storage conditions to reduce quality degradation and contamination risk during storage and pre-export handling.
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighEU market access risk under the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR): coffee shipments placed on the EU market must be traceable and supported by plot-level geolocation and due diligence demonstrating deforestation-free and legal production; non-compliant or non-traceable lots can be blocked from EU placement.Implement batch-level segregation and supply-chain traceability to farm plots; collect and validate geolocation coordinates for production plots; prepare due diligence documentation aligned to EUDR requirements before contracting EU deliveries.
Phytosanitary MediumPest and disease pressure can reduce supply consistency and quality of green coffee lots; the Coffee Board notes Arabica susceptibility to issues such as coffee leaf rust and white stem borer in Indian growing conditions.Use integrated pest management and variety/plot diversification; require supplier monitoring records and documented control practices aligned to Coffee Board guidance where available.
Climate MediumMonsoon-driven soil erosion on sloping terrain and post-monsoon moisture stress/drought can disrupt production performance and lot availability in India’s plantation regions, affecting green bean quality and yields.Adopt Coffee Board-recommended soil and water conservation practices (e.g., contour planting/terracing and soil-binding grasses) and plan procurement buffers around monsoon variability.
Regulatory Compliance MediumPhytosanitary documentation and inspection requirements vary by destination; if an importing country requires phytosanitary certification for plant products, missing or incorrect phytosanitary certification can delay or prevent clearance.Confirm destination phytosanitary requirements early and coordinate inspections/certification through India’s authorized phytosanitary certification program under the NPPO framework.
Sustainability- EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) compliance for EU-bound coffee: deforestation-free and legal production claims must be supported by traceability and plot geolocation in due diligence statements.
- Coffee Board export promotion materials position “Coffees of India” with sustainability/shade-grown branding, which may increase buyer scrutiny and documentation expectations.
Labor & Social- Plantation labor welfare and working-conditions compliance risk: coffee plantations fall under India’s Plantations Labour Act framework (welfare and conditions of work in plantations), creating audit and compliance expectations for estate operators and their contractors.
FAQ
When is the coffee harvest season in India for Arabica and Robusta green coffee?The Coffee Board of India indicates that Arabica harvest typically takes place from November to January, while Robusta harvest typically takes place from December to February.
Where are India’s main coffee-producing regions for green coffee beans?The Coffee Board of India states that coffee is traditionally grown in the Western Ghats across Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, and its statistics and regional profiles also highlight major producing districts/areas such as Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru, Hassan, Wayanad, and the Nilgiris.
What is the most critical market-access compliance risk for exporting Indian green coffee to the EU?For EU-bound coffee, the European Commission explains that EUDR compliance requires traceability to the plot of land and submission of geolocation coordinates in due diligence statements; lots that do not meet traceability/geolocation requirements may not be placed on the EU market.
Which documents and systems commonly matter for exporting green coffee from India?Indian Customs’ ICEGATE portal supports electronic filing of Shipping Bills (export goods declarations). For plant-product compliance where required by the destination, India’s NPPO framework (DPPQ&S identified as India’s NPPO) administers phytosanitary certification programs, and Coffee Board exporter-facing materials outline export registration and recognized green coffee grades used in trade documentation.