Amidst economic challenges in Europe and the United States, India’s specialty coffee exports, including renowned varieties like Monsoon Malabar and Robusta Kapi Royale, continue to experience a surge in demand. The secret behind this success lies in the unwavering loyalty of long-term buyers who willingly pay a premium of up to 50% over New York and London terminal prices.
Over the past decade, India’s specialty coffee shipments have skyrocketed, boasting an impressive growth rate of over 50%. Despite constituting less than 10% of India’s total coffee exports, specialty coffee shipments have soared from roughly 12,416 tonnes in 2012 to a remarkable 19,574 tonnes in 2022. This value surge is even more striking, as exports of specialty beans rose three-fold from $2,69 billion in 2012 to $7,51 billion in 2022.
Producers of these top-tier coffees have invested heavily in various processing techniques to meet the strict standards set by The Specialty Coffee Association. These premium offerings, such as Mysore Nuggets Extra Bold, different grades of Monsoon Malabar arabicas and robust as, and Robusta Kapi Royale, consistently attract discerning consumers who value unique flavour and quality.
Despite the current market conditions driving coffee prices to multi-year highs, demand for specialty coffees remains steadfast, and producers maintain fruitful, long-term relationships with buyers. This tenacity fuels optimism among exporters, who are confident that the specialty coffee market will continue to thrive in the face of economic uncertainty.