Kerala coffee farmers miss out despite Robusta variety trading above 4 lakhs a tonne

Kochi: Coffee farmers in Kerala say they are not benefiting from the surge in global coffee prices, despite a severe supply shortage driving up rates internationally.

Prices have risen sharply following lower production in major coffee-growing countries such as Brazil and Vietnam. On September 15, the international price of Robusta coffee touched $4,842(Rs 4,24,831.21) a tonne.

Coffee farmers in the country, who are engaged in export-oriented farming, should also naturally benefit from it. Especially farmers in Kerala, which ranks second in the country in coffee cultivation, where Robusta is the main crop.

India’s Robusta, grown mainly in Kerala, typically commands a premium in the global market due to its quality, cultivated under shade, hand-picked and sun-dried. Certain grades, such as AB grade Robusta cherry, which makes up 65% to 70% of the country’s output, often fetch up to $850 more per tonne than other varieties.

Given these factors, farmers in Wayanad and other parts of Kerala argue they should be receiving at least ₹14,000 for a 54-kg sack of Robusta cherry. Instead, the current price hovers around ₹13,000, nearly ₹1,000 less than expected.

“The problem is that large exporters are unwilling to pay a fair price. They claim they are not getting enough orders,” said MR Ganesh, former vice chairman of the Coffee Board and member of the Wayanad Coffee Growers Association. He added that the gap is a major setback for smallholders, who account for 99% of Kerala’s growers.

Farmers are urging immediate intervention from the Coffee Board and the Ministry of Commerce to ensure they receive fair compensation.