Dubai Buyer-Seller Meet Brews Opportunities for India’s Coffee Industry
The Coffee Board of India has orchestrated a significant milestone for the Indian coffee sector through a buyer-seller meet held in Dubai, signifying a pivotal moment in the industry’s global outreach.
This event, conducted alongside Gulfood 2024, was a collaborative effort between the Indian Embassy in the UAE and the Coffee Board of India. Indian Ambassador to the UAE, Sunjay Sudhir, emphasized Dubai’s strategic importance as a global trade hub and highlighted the forthcoming Bharat Mart at Jebel Ali free zone, underscoring their role in facilitating India’s global aspirations in the coffee sector.
Ambassador Sudhir accentuated Dubai’s unique position as a logistical powerhouse with a bustling port and efficient airport, providing an optimal platform for Indian coffee producers to directly showcase their diverse blends to international buyers and establish enduring brands.
KG Jagadeesha, CEO of the Coffee Board of India, delivered a comprehensive presentation during the meet, offering insights into the country’s expansive coffee industry. He spotlighted the vast coffee plantations spanning over half a million hectares, supporting numerous farming families, and emphasized India’s remarkable production and export rates surpassing domestic consumption. Jagadeesha underscored India’s notable contribution to the global coffee market, particularly as a leading exporter of instant coffee.
The growth trajectory of India’s coffee industry, producing a balanced mix of Arabica and Robusta beans since the establishment of the Coffee Board in 1950, was highlighted. Noteworthy is the fact that 35% of the country’s coffee exports now comprise value-added and specialty coffees, indicating a shift towards premium offerings.
India’s coffee, known for its shade-grown cultivation, sees the Robusta variety being valued at par with Arabica in the western market. This event not only celebrated the unique flavors and rich heritage of Indian coffee but also marked a strategic initiative to leverage Dubai’s logistical strengths in the global market.
