Coffee production is expected to reach a new high of 355,600 metric tons in the harvest year beginning October.
The Coffee Board of India reports sufficient rain in almost all the states that grow the crop. The optimistic forecast comes despite lower figures than estimated for the current 2014-15 coffee year that ended in September. Coffee production was a record 327,000 mt for the year, falling short of the estimated 331,000 mt.
Arabica production is estimated at 110,300 mt in 2015-16 compared to 98,000 mt this year, while robusta is pegged at 245,300 mt compared to 229,000 mt in 2014-15, according to the Coffee Board.
Much of the increase in the output is expected to come from the southern state of Karnataka, as "all coffee growing areas have received timely and adequate blossom and backing showers during this year" (Coffee Board).
India produces 4% to 5% of the globe’s coffee and exports around 80% its annual crop Russia, Italy and Germany are the three main buyers. The rest is processed into instant coffee with increasing amounts of specialty arabica appearing at coffee retail.
Source: Coffee Board of India, ND TV