author(s)
Somashekhargouda Patil and Rudragouda C

abstract

India’s coffee sector plays a pivotal role in the country’s agricultural exports and rural economy, with over 70% of its annual production destined for international markets. However, the sector faces growing challenges from climate-induced stressors such as rising temperatures, erratic rainfall and prolonged droughts. These environmental changes negatively impact coffee physiology particularly in Coffea Arabica by impairing photosynthesis, reducing stomatal conductance and relative water content and inducing oxidative stress. The resultant effects include yield instability, poor bean quality and increased production costs, all of which diminish India’s export competitiveness, especially in premium markets. At the same time, India has distinct advantages that offer pathways for adaptation. Traditional shade-grown agroforestry systems, genetic diversity in coffee germplasm and region-specific branding initiatives such as Geographical Indication (GI) tagging position India well to transition toward climate-resilient production. Interventions including climate-resilient varietal development, improved post-harvest practices, organic and specialty certification and policy support can enhance the sector’s sustainability and market performance.

This review synthesizes recent research on climate stress impacts on coffee physiology and evaluates trade-related vulnerabilities and opportunities. It advocates for integrated strategies encompassing research, agronomic innovation and market diversification to ensure the long-term resilience and competitiveness of Indian coffee in the global arena.