Consumers can soon check for IndiCof logo before purchasing Indian coffee

BENGALURU: Consumers will shortly be able to check for the Indian standard logo for Indian grown coffee before purchasing it.

Key points

• The area of production has additionally climbed by 7.5% in the last five years, from 3, 47, 000 tonnes in 2021-22 to 3, 73, 000 tonnes in 2025-26.
• Explaining the current year's export performance from April to July 2025-26, Rao remarked it was USD 765 million.
• Pertaining to the post blossom period, with a 40% rainfall deficit, Rao remarked they had projected the production to be 4.04 lakh metric tonnes for 2026-27.
• Speaking on exports, Rao remarked that during the 2021-22 financial year, for the first time, export sales had touched USD 1 billion.
• There has additionally been a rise in value-added products during the same period, from 29% to 39%.

Coffee Board of India (CBI) Secretary Kurma Rao M remarked on Wednesday that while there are international coffee standards, it was for the first time that India had issued its own set of standards for Indian coffee, called IndiCof.

"This will take care of the entire coffee and the value chain. Since Indian coffee is unique and shade grown, there is a need for separate standards at each level covering production to sales."

As well as Indian climatic and geographic conditions, and is different from international standards, the set of standards was published last year, taking care of certification, the cost factor, sustainability, supply and value chain based on the Indian market. "Now work on implementing them is being done, " Rao remarked.

He continued that, presently, the standards for coffee production are being followed and work on the processing sector is underway.

After this, a steering committee will be formulated. It will set the timelines for all stakeholders to follow, including the logo for consumers to look out for while purchasing coffee. The exercise for the processing sector will be completed within the next few months, he remarked.

He was speaking on the sidelines of the announcement of the India International Coffee Festival, organised by the CBI and Specialty Coffee Association of India, scheduled to be held from February 26 to 28 in Bengaluru, where international and domestic coffee growers, marketing firms and other stakeholders will participate.

Speaking on exports, Rao remarked that during the 2021-22 financial year, for the first time, export sales had touched USD 1 billion. In the last five years, it has continued to rise and in 2025-26, it was USD 2.083 billion.

There has additionally been a rise in value-added products during the same period, from 29% to 39%. He continued that in the last four months, the export volume had additionally rose by 24%.

Explaining the current year's export performance from April to July 2025-26, Rao remarked it was USD 765 million. It climbed to USD 855 million in April-July 2026-27, showing an 11.82% rise.

For context, the area of production has additionally climbed by 7.5% in the last five years, from 3, 47, 000 tonnes in 2021-22 to 3, 73, 000 tonnes in 2025-26.

Rao remarked recent reports additionally indicated a rise in domestic coffee consumption compared to exports. Further, to growth the sales, promotion and marketing of coffee, the Union administration had undertaken a study in five countries, China, Germany, Canada, Chile and Algeria.

Taken together, the developments around consumers can soon check for IndiCof logo before purchasing Indian coffee point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.