Odisha's Koraput coffee reaches global stage at BRICS Summit in New Delhi

A taste of Odisha at BRICS Summit: Koraput coffee given to global delegates

Tribal farmers from Odisha's remote Koraput district saw their home-grown Arabica coffee distributed to delegates and journalists at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, marking a rare moment of international recognition for a produce nurtured in the state's hilly terrain.

The Ministry of External Affairs included Tiger Bright, a brand of Koraput coffee, in the kits handed out to media personnel and delegates attending the summit. Each kit contained a 250-gram packet of the coffee.

Chief Minister hails global platform for local produce

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi welcomed the recognition and said it provided a platform to showcase Odisha's local produce. "Over the past few days, I have been speaking about #Odisha on global platforms, inviting the world to see the opportunities, strength and potential of our State. Today, it is especially heartening to see Koraput coffee telling another side of Odisha's story at the BRICS India 2026 Summit," Mr. Majhi said in a post on X.

The Chief Minister described the initiative as a reflection of the 'Vocal for Local' spirit promoted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "For me, it is a moment of immense pride to see the hard work of our people and the richness of our land being recognised beyond the State. This is the Odisha I want the world to know, rooted in its soil, proud of its identity and confident in sharing its story with the world," he said.

Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida also described the inclusion of Koraput coffee at the summit as a proud moment for Odisha.

Highlighting tribal farming potential

The Odisha government said the presence of the coffee at the BRICS Summit highlighted the work of tribal farming families and the potential of products originating in rural and tribal areas to access wider markets.

Koraput coffee is cultivated mainly in Nandapur and Machhkund areas of Koraput district, at elevations of around 920-950 metres. The coffee is predominantly 100% Arabica and is grown under the shade of trees such as mango, jackfruit and citrus, officials said.

From cherry to cup: the production process

The coffee cherries are handpicked at peak ripeness and processed before being procured, dried, graded, processed and marketed with support from the Tribal Development Co-operative Corporation of Odisha Ltd (TDCCOL).

The 'Koraput Coffee' brand was launched on September 11, 2019, to create a structured market for coffee produced by tribal farmers and strengthen the value chain, officials said. Under the end-to-end support of TDCCOL, the coffee passes through procurement, drying, grading, processing and marketing before reaching consumers.

Record procurement signals growing sector

During the 2025-26 season, TDCCOL procured a record 102.54 metric tonnes of coffee fruit, compared with 34.68 tonne in 2022-23 and 34.41 tonne in 2024-25, officials said. The growth has benefited around 360 tribal families, they said.

Tiger Bright is marketed as a premium Arabica coffee, with officials describing its flavour profile as having tropical citrus notes along with caramel, chocolate and cocoa undertones. The coffee is sun-dried on raised wooden beds and subjected to processing and hygiene standards before being marketed.

Source: The Hindu