Coffee Exports from India Double; EFTA Agreement Opens Premium Market Access

coffee exports

New Delhi: On the occasion of International Coffee Day, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal inaugurated the Coffee Experience Zone and Expo, organized by the Coffee Board.

Highlighting recent progress, he stated that India’s coffee exports have doubled in the past few years, driven by sustainability, innovation, and value addition in the sector.

The Commerce Secretary underlined that Indian coffee, uniquely cultivated in harmony with forests, has a distinct global appeal. He stressed the importance of diversification in cultivation and the need for continued innovation.

With a growing middle class, India is also witnessing a steady rise in domestic coffee consumption. He further pointed out that new entrepreneurs are adding value through specialty and instant coffee, creating fresh opportunities for the sector.

Also Read: Pharma Exports Near USD 30 Billion as India Strengthens Biotech and MedTech Ecosystem

India-EFTA TEPA Boost for Coffee Exports

The inauguration coincided with the implementation of the India–EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), which offers enhanced market access for Indian coffee exports in Switzerland, Norway, and Iceland.

These premium markets, particularly Switzerland and Norway, have significant demand for high-quality coffee.

Collectively, EFTA members Switzerland (USD 145 million), Norway (USD 27 million), and Iceland (USD 3 million) import coffee worth USD 175 million annually, accounting for nearly 3% of global coffee imports.

Under the agreement, these countries have set a 0% import duty on coffee-related HS lines, enabling Indian exporters to position shade-grown, handpicked, and sun-dried coffee in premium markets.

Also Read: Pune: Coffee Island Launches Cafes at Amanora Mall and Tribeca Highstreet

Policy Measures for Global Positioning

While EFTA countries removed duties on coffee imports, India retained Chapter 0901 under the exclusion list but applied preferential duty staging for specific processed coffee HS lines for Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.

Agrawal emphasized that alongside exports, it is equally vital to strengthen “Brand India” to secure a prominent place in the global coffee market.

India’s Coffee Exports to EFTA member countries during last five years is as under:

Country2020-21
(USD million)
2021-22
(USD million)
2022-23
(USD million)
2023-24
(USD million)
2024-25
(USD million)
Switzerland9.596.566.005.046.64
Norway0.690.541.070.800.98
Iceland0.000.000.000.000.00
Liechtenstein0.000.000.000.000.00

Author

  • Salil Urunkar

    Salil Urunkar is a senior journalist and the editorial mind behind Sahyadri Startups. With years of experience covering Pune’s entrepreneurial rise, he’s passionate about telling the real stories of founders, disruptors, and game-changers.

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