Italy has emerged as the single largest market for Indian coffee, recording 20 per cent of the total exports in 2001-2002, followed by the Russian Federation with 19 per cent.
Italy imported 41,770 tonnes or 20 per cent of coffee exported from India in 2001-02, according to United Planters' Association of Southern India (UPASI). Italy imported just 2,192 tonnes from India in 1981-82 and 10,059 tonnes in 1991-92.
Exports to Russian Federation increased from 26,065 tonnes in 1981-82 and 41,009 tonnes in 1991-92 to 40,301 tonnes in 2001-02, or 19 per cent of Indian coffee export.
Exports to the US, which in 1981-82 was 20,395 tonnes and only 9,564 tonnes in 1991-92, came down further to 5,600 tonnes in 2001-02.
Germany imported 27,630 tonnes in 2001-02, UPASI said. Belgium bought 661 tonnes while 21 other countries like Japan, Slovenia, Greece and France accounted for the balance coffee exports.