Seasons in India

Crop Periods

Robusta grows between 500 and 1000 meters, Arabica between 1000 and 1600 metres. Irrigation being tougher in high-altitude Arabica farms is predominantly done in lower altitudes. Robusta farms lead to higher productivity and uniform flowering ultimately leading to uniform ripening of fruits prior to harvest.

The harvest period for arabica is mainly from December till January, for robusta from February till March. The secondary harvest period for arabica is mainly in January. For Robusta mainly in March.

The period of exportation is different for Arabica and Robusta coffee :

The rainy season called ‘monsoon’ starts in June and ends in October.  Plantation coffee should be shipped before the monsoon season starts as the huge humidity causes this coffee to bleach. Plantation coffee properly kept in its parchment can resist this weather change better. The quality of Arabica being very sensitive to moisture is best exported prior to the unrelenting Indian monsoon which lasts from June to October.

Crop Periods: Summary

Destination Countries

 
1. Italy
2. Germany
3. Russia, Belgium, Spain, USA, Poland

Historically Russia has always been one of the largest buyers from India due to bilateral intergovernmental agreements including barter trade. Russia imports mainly instant coffee from India.  For a large number of years, Russia remained the main buyer of Indian coffee. It was only until liberalization was introduced that other countries started importing from India. This liberalization started in 1992 and was completed in 1996.

Italy also has a long-lasting tradition of buying Indian coffee. Imports fell back in the eighties as Russia was taking more than 80% of India’s total production at the time. Italy has always needed Indian robusta coffee since it is a crucial component of Italian espresso.

Transit Days

Coffee is exported from New Mangalore from mid-September to mid-May but not during the monsoon. The Tuticorin Container Terminal is a project from Singapore’s PSA Corporation. It handled over 150.000 TEUs in its first year of operation (2000).

(*) Average Transit time in days

ICO Figures

Watch Out

 
The domestic market is growing rapidly. In a decade from now India might be a net-importer of coffee, as is already the case with tea.

ABOUT

India is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world.  The northern provinces are densely populated but large cities are all around the country.

Four world religions – Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism – originated here, whereas Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Christianity, and Islam arrived in the 1st millennium and also helped shape the region’s diverse culture. A nuclear weapons state and a regional power, it has the third-largest standing army in the world. Most of the South Asian state of India covers a peninsula that juts into the Indian Ocean between the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. The heart of the peninsula is the Deccan plateau, bordered on either side by ranges of hills, the Western Ghats, and the lower Eastern Ghats which fall away to narrow coastal plains. To the north is a broad plain, drained by the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra rivers and their tributaries. The plain is intensively farmed and is the most populous region. In the west is the Thar desert. The climate shows marked seasonal variation: the hot season from March to June; the monsoon season from June to October and the cold season from November to February.

India is a federation composed of 28 states and 7 union territories and is the seventh-largest economy in the world.  Agriculture, forestry, and fishing account for one-third of the national output and two third of employment. Major exports include petroleum products, textile goods, jewelry, software, engineering goods, chemicals, and leather manufactures. Major imports include crude oil, machinery, gems, fertilizer, and chemicals.

The Indian population has an increasing demand for coffee. The coffee habits are influenced by the milliner tea culture: soluble and instant coffee are the most appreciated.

The Birth of Coffee in India

In 1670, a saint named Baba Budan went on a pilgrimage from India to Mecca. On his way back, he had to come via Yemen when he had a cup of coffee at the port of Mocha. He was so impressed that he smuggled 7 coffee beans by strapping them to his chest. He then planted them in Chikmagalur, Karnataka where the hill was named after him as Baba Budan Giris. During the 18th century, British Entrepreneurs went on to develop commercial plantations, which grew over the years to become the coffee industry it is today.

Both Arabica & Robusta

Indian coffee is mainly grown in the southern states of Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, three states that constitute what is often referred to as “India’s Coffee Belt”. At least 60 % of the production is Robusta. Indian Robustas have a very good reputation and usually fetch a decent premium. The washed Robustas’ production exceeds 20.000 tons/year.  The washed Arabicas are called “plantation” coffee. The unwashed (naturals) are called “Cherry Arabica”. Smallholders represent 60% of the production. Large producers (10 ha or more) are producing the bulk of the plantation coffee.

Monsoon Malabar
In the 1960s, when Indian traders shipped high-quality Arabica to Scandinavia, few realized they were about to create a new fashion that would capture the imagination of world markets. On the high seas for up to 10 weeks, the coffee beans absorbed salty moisture and underwent physical and chemical changes, giving a peculiar mellow taste. These beans were a hit with consumers in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. A few years later, faster shipping services cut the journey to four weeks, preventing sea moisture from playing its usual role. Customers who had become accustomed to this special flavor forced India to stimulate the salty condition on its western coast and produce the famous “Monsoon Malabar”, a popular coffee that is now recognized as a gourmet cup all over the world.

Through the 1990s, the state-run coffee board began counting specialty coffee exports separately. India has hardly exported 2500 tons a year, up from the few hundred tons exported in the 1970s. Over the years, the country has come up with new varieties such as “Mysore Nuggets” and “Robusta Kaapi Royale”, both categorized as gourmet as they are made from specially identified coffee bean sizes. Although some 200 growers are currently estimated as producing top-quality coffees which are later processed into gourmet varieties, poor marketing, and inconsistent quality have resulted in slow recognition and hindered this movement. Low prices and lack of premiums are also discouraging gourmet producers.

Like the great majority of economic sectors in India, the coffee industry suffers from logistic problems and a lack of investment. India has work force and fertile lands to largely increase its production.

The World’s Best Shade-grown ’Mild’ Coffees

Indian coffee is the most extraordinary of beverages, offering intriguing subtlety and stimulating intensity. India is the only country that grows all of its coffee under shade. Typically mild and not too acidic, these coffees possess an exotic full-bodied taste and a fine aroma.

Varieties

Arabica

Sln.795: Selection 795 is by far the most popular Arabica Selection released during the 1940s with high yields, bold beans, superior quality and
relative tolerance to leaf rust. This selection was developed using Kents Arabica, known for its quality.

Sln.9: This variety is a cross between an Ethiopian Arabica Collection, “Tafarikela” (Superior Cup Quality) and “Hybrido-de-Timor” (Resistance).
Kents: Kents is the earliest variety of Arabica, selected by an English planter of the same name during the 1920s for its exceptional cup quality.
Cauvery: This variety is a cross between “Caturra” (Mutant of Bourbon variety known for high yields and quality) and “Hybrido-de-Timor”
(Resistance)

Robusta

Sln.3 R (CxR): This is a hybrid variety developed through interspecific hybridization involving C. consensus (compact bush, drooping branches and
better bean quality) and C. canephora.

Sln.1 R (S.270, S.274): Belongs to the first series of Robusta selections developed by Central Coffee Research Institute, India. Coffee of botanical
species Canephora Pierre ex-Froehner selected for high-yield and bold beans.

By Region

Anamalais (Tamil Nadu)

Wildlife sanctuaries in this region are the abode of spotted leopards, while the plantations are home to fine, high-grown Arabicas, including the exotic Kents.

Elevation: 1000-1400 m MSL
Rainfall: 2500-3000 mm
Main coffee type: Arabica
The total area under coffee: 2,500 ha
Average production: 1,500 MT
Main varieties: S.795, Cauvery, Sln.9
Main intercrops: Pepper, Orange, Banana

Araku Valley (Andhra Pradesh)

Home to colourful parrots, it is not unusual to see a flock of chattering red and green birds, darting through trees in this scenic valley.

Elevation: 900-1100 m MSL
Rainfall: 1000-1200 mm
Main coffee type: Arabica
The total area under coffee: 20,000 ha
Average production: 3,100 MT
Main varieties: S.795, Sln.4, Sln.5, Cauvery
Main intercrops: Pepper, Mango, Jackfruit, Vegetables

Bababudangiris (Karnataka)

Bababudan brought seven ‘magical’ beans from Yemen and planted them in the lofty hills of this region. Deer is often spotted here, grazing alongside plantations abundant with full-bodied Arabicas.

Elevation: 1000-1500 m MSL
Rainfall: 1750-2200 mm
Main coffee type: Arabica
The total area under coffee: 15,000 ha
Average production: 10,500 MT
Main varieties: S.795, Sln.9, Cauvery
Intercrops: Pepper, Cardamom, Arecanut

Biligiris (Karnatka/Tamil Nadu)

Besides full-bodied Arabicas, this region is noted for the sambar – the largest Indian deer with huge antlers.

Elevation: 1500-2000 m MSL
Rainfall: 1100-1200 mm
Main coffee type: Arabica
The total area under coffee: is 800 ha
Average production: 700-800 MT
Main varieties: S.795, Sln.9, Cauvery
Main intercrops: Orange, Banana, Pepper

Brahmaputra

The mighty Brahmaputra which flows through the North Eastern states is the lifeline of this region which is home to the one-horned rhinoceros. This sturdy animal is found in large numbers at the

Kaziranga National Park in eastern Assam.

Elevation: 800-1200 m MSL
Rainfall: 1500-2000 mm
Main coffee type: Arabica
The total area under coffee: 5,000 ha
Average production: 300 MT
Main varieties: S.795, Cauvery
Main intercrops: Pineapple, Pepper, Jackfruit, Vegetables

Chikmagalur (Karnataka)

Chikmagalur’s forests and wildlife sanctuaries are abundant with beautiful peacocks, India’s national bird. The peacock loves to show off its colourful feathers, especially during its elaborate courtship dance.

Elevation: 700-1200 m MSL
Rainfall: 1000-4500 mm
Main coffee types: Arabica, Robusta
The total area under coffee: Arabica – 37,000 ha, Robusta – 23,000 ha
Average production: Arabica – 29,000 MT, Robusta – 30,000 MT
Main varieties: Arabica – S.795, Sln.5B, Sln.9, Cauvery
Robusta – Peridenia, S.274, CxR
Main intercrops: Pepper, Cardamom, Arecanut, Orange, Vanilla

Coorg (Karnataka)

Lush coffee plantations are bustling with honeybees which yield the delicious Coorg Honey, collected by nimble-footed tribals.

Elevation: 750-1100 m MSL
Rainfall: 1000-2500 mm
Main coffee types: Arabica, Robusta
The total area under coffee: Arabica – 26,000 ha, Robusta – 56,000 ha
Average production: Arabica – 24,000 MT, Robusta – 69,000 MT
Main varieties: Arabica – S.795, Sln.6, Sln.9,
Cauvery; Robusta – S.274, CxR
Main intercrops: Pepper, Cardamom, Orange, Banana, Arecanut

Manjarabad (Karnatka) 

Gentle-sloping terrain with small streams and coffee plants provides a natural habitat for the jungle fowl. This yellow-headed bird with a red comb and multi-coloured plumage is generally seen in pairs, close to the coffee plantations.

Elevation: 900-1100 m MSL
Rainfall: 1000-2500 mm
Main coffee types: Arabica, Robusta
The total area under coffee: Arabica – 31,700 ha, Robusta – 9,400 ha
Average production: Arabica – 21,000 MT, Robusta – 9,500 MT
Main varieties: Arabica – S.795, Sln.6, Sln.9, Cauvery Robusta – S.274, CxR
Main intercrops: Pepper, Cardamom, Orange, Arecanut, Banana

Nilgiris (Tamil Nadu)

Wildlife sanctuaries in this region are the abode of spotted leopards, while the plantations are home to fine, high-grown Arabicas, including the exotic Kents.

Elevation: 900-1400 m MSL
Rainfall: 1600-2600 mm
Main coffee types: Arabica, Robusta
The total area under coffee: Arabica – 3,600 ha, Robusta – 4,000 ha
Average production: Arabica – 1,400 MT, Robusta – 2,800 MT
Main varieties: Arabica – S.795, K ents, Cauvery Robusta – P eridenia, S.274, CxR
Main intercrops: Pepper, Orange, Banana, Ginger, Vegetables

Pulneys (Tamil Nadu)

A well-known feature of this region is the bright, bluebell-like Kurinji flower that makes a dramatic appearance, once in 12 years. The high-grown Arabicas however, are a predominant sight, year after year.

Elevation: 600-2000 m MSL
Rainfall: 1000-1600 mm
Main coffee type: Arabica
The total area under coffee: 14,000 ha
Average production: 7,500 MT
Main varieties: S.795, Sln.5B, Sln.9, Sln.10, Cauvery
Main intercrops: Orange, Banana, Pepper, Cardamom, Vegetables

Sheveroys (Tamil Nadu)

The magnificent Gaur or Indian bison is an embodiment of vigour and strength, much like the bold-sized Arabicas grown here. This massive animal with its huge head and sturdy limbs grazes on the lower hill tracts of this picturesque region.

Elevation: 900-1500 m MSL
Rainfall: 800-1500 mm
Main coffee type: Arabica
The total area under coffee: 5,000 ha
Average production: 3,000 MT
Main varieties: S.795, Cauvery, Sln.9
Main intercrops: Orange, Banana, Pepper

Travancore (Kerala)

The national flower of India, the lotus symbolises purity and beauty. These bright, fragrant flowers with floating leaves and long stems, grow in shallow waters in this region noted for its Arabicas and Robustas.

Elevation: 400-1600 m MSL
Rainfall: 2000-4000 mm
Main coffee type: Robusta
The total area under coffee: 13,000 ha
Average production: 9,000 MT
Main varieties: S.274, CxR
Main intercrops: Pepper, Banana, Ginger, Vegetables, Medicinal plants

Wayanad (Kerala) 

Wayanad is home to the Indian tiger, India’s national animal – a symbol of valour and courage.

Elevation: 600-900 m MSL
Rainfall: 1100-1200 mm
Main coffee type: Robusta
The total area under coffee: 67,000 ha
Average production: 54,000 MT
Main varieties: Peridenia, S.274, CxR
Main intercrops: Pepper, Banana, Ginger, Vegetables

By Grade

These are the main grades of the four different types of coffee offered to international buyers :

Arabica

Washed Grade	Screen No	Unwashed Grade	Screen No
Plantation PB	–	Arabica Cherry PB	–
Plantation A	6.65 / 17	Arabica Cherry AB	6.00 / 15
Plantation B	6.00 / 15	Arabica Cherry C	5.50 / 14
Plantation C	5.50 / 14

 

Robusta

Washed Grade	Screen No	Unwashed Grade	Screen No
Parchment PB	–	Robusta Cherry PB	–
Parchment AB	6.00 / 15	Robusta Cherry AB	6.00 / 15
Parchment C	5.50 / 14	Robusta Cherry C	5.50 / 14

Besides these, India offers also a selection of speciality coffees such as Mysore Nuggets EB, Robusta Kaapi Royale and Monsooned Coffee.

By Moisture

 

Both Arabica and Robusta coffee is processed by the wet (washed) and dry (unwashed) methods and are accordingly classified as :

Arabicas	Dry method: ‘Cherry’ Wet method: ‘Plantation’
Robustas	Dry method: ‘Cherry’ Wet method: ‘Parchment’

 

Moisture Standards*
Type of Coffee	Moisture Level (%)
Plantation	10.0
Arabica Cherry	10.5
Robusta Parchment	10.0
Robusta Cherry	11.0
Mysore Nuggets EB	9.0 – 10.5
Robusta Kaapi Royale	9.0 – 10.5
Monsooned Coffee	13.0 – 14.5

 

* A tolerance of ± 0.5% in moisture content is permissible