Key facts
- 1 production cluster mapped, in Karnataka; Kerala; Tamil Nadu.
- Market guides for 20 countries, each with destination requirements and transit times.
- Certifications available from the supply base: FSSAI licence, HACCP, ISO 22000, FSSC 22000, BRCGS Food Safety and more.
- Typical minimum order: One 20' container bulk (about 8-10 MT) or private label from a few thousand units per SKU (typical).
Product overview
India has a large export-oriented soluble-coffee industry, with plants in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, several of them in export-oriented units or SEZs. Instant coffee is included in the combined coffee export figure of US$ 1,805.57 million in FY2024-25 (DGCI&S); a separate instant-coffee value was not extracted in our sources.
Indian manufacturers produce spray-dried powder, agglomerated granules, freeze-dried coffee and coffee-chicory blends (a South Indian filter-coffee tradition), often using imported as well as Indian Robusta. Russia and other CIS markets, Turkey, the Middle East, Africa and South-East Asia are long-standing buyers.
Product is sold in bulk (25 kg cartons) to repackers or as private-label jars, pouches and sticks. Buyers specify solubility, bulk density, moisture, colour, and the Robusta/Arabica ratio.
HS note: Coffee-chicory mixtures and preparations with a coffee base fall under 2101 12.
Specifications
| Moisture | ≤ 3.5-5% (typical) |
|---|---|
| Bulk density | Spray-dried 0.20-0.28 g/ml; agglomerated 0.20-0.26 g/ml (typical) |
| Solubility | Fully soluble in hot water; cold-soluble grades available (typical) |
| Caffeine | ≥ 2.5-4% dry basis (Robusta-rich blends higher) (typical) |
| Chicory blends | e.g. 80:20, 70:30, 53:47 coffee:chicory (typical) |
Typical commercial values. Final specifications are fixed per contract and verified by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Grades & variants
Spray-dried powder
Standard grade for repacking and vending.
Agglomerated granules
Retail jar grade.
Freeze-dried
Premium retail grade.
Coffee-chicory blends
Filter-coffee style instant blends.
Instant premixes (3-in-1)
Coffee with sugar and creamer.
Packaging, MOQ & container loading
| Packing | Sizes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bulk | 25 kg cartons with double poly liner | For repackers |
| Retail | 50-200 g glass jars, pouches, 1.5-2 g sticks | Private label |
Container load (estimate): 20' GP about 8-10 MT bulk cartons · 40' HC about 16-20 MT. Low-density powder; volume-limited
Customisation: Blend ratio, chicory, freeze-dried/agglomerated, retail packs and sticks
Where we source in India
Producing regions and manufacturing clusters our supplier network draws from.
Andhra Pradesh
Guntur, Chittoor
Large soluble-coffee plants
Karnataka
Bengaluru, Chikkamagaluru, Hassan
Soluble coffee and chicory
Tamil Nadu
Coimbatore, Tiruvallur
Soluble coffee units
Gujarat
Bharuch, Valsad
Chicory-growing area and processing
Market requirements by region
Gulf (GCC)
UAE: Dubai Municipality FIRS requires the importer to register the company and each food item (label assessment) before arrival; Arabic/English labelling per GSO 9; India-UAE CEPA preference with a CEPA certificate of origin. UAE and Saudi Arabia buy private-label jars and sticks; halal certification is commercially expected.
Southeast Asia
Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines buy bulk and premix; Indonesia requires BPOM registration and halal for retail food.
Other markets
Turkey is a notable buyer of bulk instant coffee for repacking (with Russia and CIS outside the priority regions).
Africa
East and West African markets buy small-pack instant coffee; Nigeria requires NAFDAC registration by the importer.
General guidance, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with your customs broker or the regulator.
Quality control
- • Batch certificate of analysis (moisture, density, solubility)
- • Sensory/cup evaluation against approved sample
- • Microbiology and acrylamide monitoring (EU)
Certifications available
- • FSSAI licence
- • HACCP
- • ISO 22000
- • FSSC 22000
- • BRCGS Food Safety
- • Halal certificate
- • Kosher certificate
- • India Organic (NPOP)
Held by the producing supplier for the specific lot; copies shared with the quote.
Shipping documents
- • Commercial invoice
- • Packing list
- • Bill of lading
- • Certificate of origin (preferential where an FTA applies)
- • Certificate of analysis
- • Coffee Board registration / RCMC reference
- • Health certificate where required
Export markets
Frequently asked questions
What instant coffee types do you supply?
Spray-dried powder, agglomerated granules, freeze-dried coffee, coffee-chicory blends and 3-in-1 premixes.
Can you supply private-label instant coffee?
Yes, in jars, pouches or sticks through partner soluble-coffee plants.
What is a coffee-chicory blend?
Instant coffee mixed with roasted chicory extract, a South Indian filter-coffee style; common ratios are 80:20 and 70:30.
How is bulk instant coffee packed?
In 25 kg cartons with double poly liners to protect against moisture.
Request a quote for Instant Coffee (Spray-Dried, Agglomerated, Freeze-Dried) and Chicory Blends
Tell us grade, quantity and destination. We reply with options, packaging and pricing on your Incoterm.
