India39;s 2024 exports could rise 10 to 298,000 T
European buyers paying premium for Indian beans
Untimely rains, labour scarcity delaying harvesting

MUMBAI, Jan 9 Reuters India39;s coffee exports are likely to rise as much as 10 in 2024 as a rally in global prices prompts European buyers to pay premiums in order to increase purchases from the country, industry officials told Reuters.

The South Asian country famous as a tea producer is also the world39;s eighthlargest coffee grower, mainly churning out the robusta beans used to make instant coffee. It also produces some of the more expensive arabica variety.

The demand for Indian coffee, particularly robusta beans, is strong due to firm global prices resulting from production issues, said Ramesh Rajah, president of the Coffee Exporters39; Association of India, predicting a rise in exports this year of up to 10.

Robusta coffee is trading near its highest in at least 15 years as Vietnam, the world39;s biggest producer, is expected to produce less in 202324 than the previous season.

India exports three quarters of its production mainly to Italy, Germany and Belgium.

Indian coffee typically commands a premium over the global benchmark because it is grown under shade, handpicked, and sundried. However, this year, premiums are higher than normal due to a production shortfall, exporters said.

Coffee exports in 2024 could jump to 298,000 metric tons from last year39;s 271,420 tons, said a Bengalurubased dealer with…