Based on the estimates provided by the Coffee Board, India’s coffee bean output is expected to fall to nearly half of what is considered normal this year. This unfortunate decline in production can be primarily attributed to inconsistent blossom showers. This marks the second consecutive year where domestic coffee planters have had to contend with low yield due to detrimental weather conditions. Last year, it was a cyclone that severely affected the harvest.
The Coffee Board typically provides two crop estimates annually, the first one being based on blossoms and the second one following the monsoon season.
Understanding Blossom Showers
Blossom Showers, largely occurring between the months of March and May, play a pivotal role in coffee production. These pre-monsoon showers arrive before the monsoons hit India and are alternatively referred to as April Rains. Areas like Kerala heavily rely on these pre-monsoon rains for flowering plantation crops such as coffee and tea.
According to the statistics provided by United Planters’ Association of Southern India (Upasi), India produced 3.16 lakh tonnes of coffee during the 2017-18 fiscal year, which included an export volume of 3.92 lakh tonnes. A significant chunk of this production, around 80%, took place in Karnataka, showcasing its dominance in the country’s coffee production landscape. At present, there are more than three lakh small and medium coffee farmers operating in the country.
| Fact |
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| India ranks 6th among the world’s coffee producing countries |
| Nearly 70% of India’s coffee is exported, primarily to European and Asian markets |
| Karnataka accounts for approximately 80% of India’s total coffee production |
Coffee Cultivation in India
India’s coffee cultivation has always been known for its quality, ranking 6th out of 80 coffee producing countries worldwide. A blend of robusta and top-notch arabica constitute our main exports, with majority, i.e., nearly 70% being sold to European and Asian markets.
Geographically, coffee is traditionally grown in the rainforests of the Western Ghats in South India. Regions like Chikmagalur, Kodagu or Coorg, Wayanad, Shevaroy Hills, and the Nilgiris are particularly known for their vibrant coffee cultivation.
Essential Climatic Conditions for Coffee Cultivation
The cultivation of coffee necessitates specific climatic conditions. A hot and humid climate with temperatures oscillating between 15°C and 28°C is typically favourable. Annual rainfall should ideally be within the range of 150 to 250 cm.
Conditions that are not conducive for coffee crops include frost, snowfall, high temperatures above 30°C, and strong sunshine, which is why these crops are generally grown under the shade of trees. The period when berries ripen requires dry weather. Stagnant water can be harmful, and thus, coffee is usually grown on hill slopes at elevations between 600 to 1,600 meters above sea level. Soil suitable for coffee cultivation is well-drained loams containing a good amount of humus and minerals like iron and calcium.