Evolving taste for gourmet coffee and an increase in global coffee drinking could push the volume of speciality coffee expons this year.

According to Coffee Board of India records, confirmed exports of specialty coffee were 9,457 tonne in 2006. As on September 7, 2007, the Volume has reached 5,770 tonne, each tonne worth Rs. 1,01,195.

Specialty coffee has a distinct origin as against other coffee beans that could come from several regions and estates. Special cultivation practices, processing and branding further enhance the value of the beans. The category, most of which is exported, includes Monsooned Malabar coffee that is exclusive to India. The special flavour and colour of this variety finds favour in European countries and is further graded as Monsooned Malabar AA, Monsooned Basanally and Monsooned Robusta AA, say Coffee Board sources.

All specialty coffee consists of green beans that are further classified under various grades. Despite the falling Value of the dollar, the export figures look promising, say exporters. With a few months still to go before the calender year ends, exports of the special coffee beans are set to increase considerably.

The coffee Board recorded provisional exports of 1,62,281 tonne as on September 6, worth over Rs.1,390 crore, down from 1,84,879 tonne year on year. A source at the board said that the final figures can be arrived at only after proof of export is received from exporters, which might take 30-45 days after actual export.

Confirmed exports of both Indian and re-exported coffee (including export coffee) between January to December 2006 were 2,44,989 tonne, valued at Rs.1,930.95 crore. Though a break up for specialty coffee exports was not available, the largest importer of coffee from India continued to be Italy, buying 42,400 tonne or 26.13 percent of the total exports, followed by the Russian Federation that imported about 10 percent of the total Arabica and Robusta coffee.

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