India's tea and coffee industries have built a truly global customer base, with shipments reaching well over a hundred countries each year. Understanding where Indian tea and coffee actually go—and why—offers useful insight for exporters, importers, and anyone curious about India's place in the world's beverage trade.
Where Indian Tea Is Headed
India remains one of the world's top tea exporters, shipping to well over a hundred countries across every inhabited continent. Its reputation rests on the strength of iconic growing regions like Assam, Darjeeling, and the Nilgiris, whose distinct character keeps international buyers coming back year after year.
The UAE is by far the largest single buyer, accounting for close to a fifth of India's tea exports, with Iraq and the United States rounding out the top three. Russia, Iran, the UK, China, and Germany also feature prominently among major destinations, while Saudi Arabia and Turkey contribute smaller but notable shares. This spread reflects a market heavily weighted toward West Asia, supplemented by steady demand from established Western economies and growing interest from Asian buyers.
Beyond the traditional black tea trade, India's herbal and organic tea segment is expanding too. The United States leads this niche category, driven by health-conscious consumers seeking wellness-oriented blends like tulsi, chamomile, and green tea, with the UK, Germany, Russia, Iran, China, Japan, and Australia also among the leading buyers.
Notably, China has emerged as a fast-growing market for Indian tea, with a sharp surge in demand for orthodox blends, while the UAE continues to function as a regional trading hub that re-exports significant volumes into Iran and the wider MENA region.
Where Indian Coffee Is Headed
India's coffee export story looks quite different geographically, tilting heavily toward Europe. Italy is the single largest importer of Indian coffee, taking in over 16% of total exports, followed by Germany and Russia. The UAE, Belgium, and the United States also rank among the top destinations.
This European lean is echoed across multiple industry sources: Italy, Germany, and the United States are frequently cited as the top three global destinations for Indian coffee exporters, with Belgium and Switzerland also appearing consistently in the top five. Both Italy and Germany have seen a sharp rise in coffee sourced from India in recent years, reflecting growing confidence in Indian Robusta among European roasters.
Coffee's growth has been especially strong recently—export earnings crossed the $1 billion mark within the first half of FY2025-26 alone, up more than 15% year-on-year. Instant coffee, in particular, is seeing rising demand from markets like Russia, Turkey, and the United States, alongside the traditional green bean trade.
What This Means for Exporters
For Indian tea and coffee exporters, these patterns highlight where demand is concentrated and where it's shifting. Tea exporters should watch West Asia closely while keeping an eye on China's rapid growth in orthodox varieties. Coffee exporters, meanwhile, should recognize Europe's continued dominance while tracking the rising appetite for value-added instant coffee in markets further afield.
Staying current on these shifting trade patterns—and adapting sourcing, certification, and marketing strategies accordingly—will remain key to capturing new growth in both categories.
Looking to Source Tea or Coffee from India?
Mercanone connects international buyers with reliable, quality-focused tea and coffee suppliers from across India's leading growing regions. Whether you're exploring a new market or looking for a dependable long-term partner, get in touch:
- Email: ganesh@mercanone.com
- WhatsApp: +91-9930655539