India's Tea & Coffee Industry
India produces 1.4B+ kg of tea and 350,000+ tonnes of coffee annually. Combined tea and coffee exports exceed $1.8B. India is the only country that produces both GI-tagged premium teas (Darjeeling) and unique process coffees (Monsooned Malabar).
Product Categories
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Growing Regions
Assam (Upper & Lower)
CTC & Orthodox Tea
India's largest tea producing region. 800+ tea estates. Strong, malty CTC tea ideal for blends. Dibrugarh/Jorhat auction centres.
Darjeeling, West Bengal
Premium Orthodox Tea
GI-tagged 'Champagne of Teas'. 87 registered estates. First flush (Feb-Apr), second flush (May-Jun), and autumn flush.
Coorg & Chikmagalur, Karnataka
Arabica & Robusta Coffee
India's coffee country. 71% of national output. Shade-grown under canopy. Specialty Arabica and commercial Robusta.
Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu
High-Grown Tea & Coffee
2,000m+ elevation. Fragrant, brisk teas. Also produces fine Arabica coffee. Year-round production.
Source Tea & Coffee from India
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How to Source
Define Your Requirements
Specify type (CTC/Orthodox/Green), grade, origin, organic/conventional, packaging format, and volume.
Source via Auctions or Direct
Tea auctions (Kolkata, Guwahati, Coonoor, Kochi) for spot buying. Direct from estates or through exporters for contract supply.
Request Samples & Cupping
Get 200-500g samples. Evaluate liquor colour, aroma, body, briskness, and infusion. For coffee: cup score and roast profile.
Quality & Documentation
Verify Tea/Coffee Board registration, organic certificates, phytosanitary documentation, and MRL compliance for destination market.
Indicative Pricing (FOB India)
| Product | Price Range | MOQ |
|---|---|---|
| Assam CTC (BOP/BOPSM) | $2 – $4/kg | 5 MT |
| Darjeeling First Flush | $15 – $100+/kg | 100 kg |
| Nilgiri Orthodox | $3 – $8/kg | 1 MT |
| Arabica Green Coffee | $3 – $6/kg | 5 MT |
| Robusta Green Coffee | $2 – $3.50/kg | 10 MT |
| Instant Coffee (Spray-Dried) | $4 – $8/kg | 5 MT |
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is India's tea and coffee export industry?
India is the world's 2nd largest tea producer (1.4B+ kg/year) and 6th largest coffee producer (350,000+ tonnes). Tea exports: $800M-1B annually to 50+ countries. Coffee exports: $1B+ annually. India is also the world's largest producer of CTC (crush-tear-curl) tea.
What types of tea can I source from India?
Major types: Darjeeling tea (GI-tagged, 'Champagne of teas'), Assam CTC & Orthodox (strong, malty), Nilgiri tea (fragrant, brisk), green tea, white tea, oolong, organic teas, specialty single-estate teas, and value-added tea products (tea bags, instant tea, flavoured blends).
What coffee varieties does India export?
India produces both Arabica (30%) and Robusta (70%). Key varieties: Monsooned Malabar Arabica (unique process, premium), Chikmagalur Arabica, Coorg Robusta, Araku Valley organic coffee. India is also a major instant coffee exporter (CCL Products is world's largest private label instant coffee maker).
Where are India's tea and coffee growing regions?
Tea: Assam (largest, 52% of production), Darjeeling (premium), Nilgiris (Tamil Nadu), Dooars & Terai (West Bengal), Kangra (Himachal Pradesh). Coffee: Karnataka (Coorg, Chikmagalur — 71% of output), Kerala (Wayanad — 21%), Tamil Nadu (Nilgiris — 5%), Andhra Pradesh (Araku Valley).
What certifications are needed for tea/coffee exports from India?
Key: Tea Board of India registration, Coffee Board registration, FSSAI, organic certifications (NPOP/NOP/EU Organic), Rainforest Alliance, Fair Trade, UTZ Certified, ISO 22000/HACCP, FDA compliance for US, and EU MRL compliance. GI tags for Darjeeling tea and Monsooned Malabar coffee.
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