The Coffee Board of India is launching a new sustainability certification framework to promote environmentally responsible coffee farming nationwide. CEO and Secretary Kurma Rao stated that the sustainability standards are finalized, and the Board is moving forward with certification.
The framework offers coffee growers clear guidelines for sustainable practices that reduce environmental impact while maintaining crop quality and productivity. It also helps producers demonstrate compliance and enhance their competitiveness in sustainability-conscious domestic and international markets.
This certification could open premium market opportunities for Indian coffee farmers who meet sustainability criteria, reflecting the global coffee trade's increasing emphasis on environmental responsibility and market access.
India ranks as the world’s seventh-largest coffee producer and fifth-largest exporter. In 2025–26, the country exported over $2 billion worth of coffee, with nearly 39% comprising value-added products. This highlights the growing role of processed, higher-value coffee in exports. The new certification framework aims to boost the sector’s long-term competitiveness and encourage sustainable farming among growers.
