Snapshot

• Why Araku Valley is iconic:
  Nestled in the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh at altitudes of 900–1,400 meters, Araku Valley has emerged as India’s specialty coffee capital.
  The region is unique for its tribal farmer cooperatives—over 10,000 tribal families cultivate shade-grown, organic Arabica coffee.
  With GI (Geographical Indication) status for “Araku Coffee,” this cluster has become a global brand for premium, single-origin organic coffee, backed by NGOs like Naandi Foundation and international buyers.
  
• Global Positioning:
  Araku coffee is sold in luxury coffee markets in Paris, Japan, and the US, earning recognition in global auctions for its high cupping scores (88+ on SCA scale). It’s a model for regenerative agriculture and tribal empowerment.
  

Product & Variety Range

Category	Key Products
Arabica Coffee	Single-origin, hand-picked, shade-grown beans
Specialty Coffee	Microlots, estate-specific beans, high SCA scores
Organic Green Beans	Certified organic Arabica beans
Roasted Coffee	Medium and dark roasts, ground coffee
Value-Added Products	Cold brew, instant coffee powders, premium blends
Tribal Agro Products (Linked)	Pepper, turmeric, honey (intercropped with coffee)

Cluster Strengths

Feature	Details
GI Tag	“Araku Coffee” certified for geographic authenticity
Organic Leadership	100% organic-certified farms; no chemical fertilizers or pesticides
Tribal Cooperative Model	Over 10,000 tribal families organized into farmer cooperatives
Premium Pricing	Specialty coffee commands high premiums in global auctions
Sustainability Leadership	Regenerative farming and agroforestry-based cultivation

Materials & Sustainability

• Growing Conditions: Altitude 900–1,400m, red loamy soil, shade-grown under native tree canopies
  
• Sustainability Initiatives:
  
  • Biodiversity conservation and carbon sequestration through agroforestry
    
  • Fair Trade and Organic certifications ensuring ethical sourcing
    
  • Training programs for women farmers and youth entrepreneurs
    
• Innovation:
  
  • Precision grading, microlot farming, and cupping labs for quality
    
  • Blockchain-enabled traceability for premium exports
    

Cluster Infrastructure

• Key Players:
  
  • Araku Coffee Cooperative: Tribal farmer-owned collective supported by Naandi Foundation
    
  • Coffee Board of India: Provides R&D, training, and quality certification
    
• Processing Units:
  
  • Central wet mills and curing works in Araku and Visakhapatnam
    
  • On-site drying patios and micro-roasteries for small-batch roasting
    
• Connectivity:
  
  • Nearest port: Visakhapatnam (120 km) for exports
    
  • Good road links and rail connectivity to Eastern Ghats markets
    

Compliance & Certifications

Certification	Details
GI Tag – Araku Coffee	Certification of origin
Organic Certification	India Organic, USDA Organic, EU Organic
Fair Trade Certification	Ensures equitable farmer pay and ethical sourcing
Rainforest Alliance	Environmental sustainability certification
Specialty Coffee Association (SCA)	Global grading and cupping certification

Production Timelines & MOQs

Product Type	Harvest Season	Lead Time	MOQ Guidance
Green Beans (Organic Arabica)	Nov–Feb	2–3 weeks post-harvest	60–70 kg bags
Specialty Microlots	Nov–Feb	Pre-booking required	Limited
Roasted Coffee	Year-round	2 weeks	Custom
Value-Added Coffee	Year-round	3–4 weeks	Project-based

Branding & Packaging

• Branding: QR-coded traceability from farm to cup; GI certification labels
  
• Packaging:
  
  • Hermetically sealed bags with one-way valves for roasted coffee
    
  • GrainPro bags for green beans, eco-friendly cartons for exports
    
• Marketing Narrative:
  “Araku Valley: A high-altitude, organic coffee paradise, where tribal growers produce globally acclaimed, traceable, and sustainable specialty coffees.”
  

Quality Control (IndiaUnbox Protocol)

• Cherry QC: Selective hand-picking of ripe cherries
  
• Processing QC: Fermentation, drying (11–12% moisture), defect sorting
  
• Grading QC: SCA-based scoring, screen size grading
  
• Export QC: Cup profile consistency, chemical residue testing, eco-certifications
  

Price Drivers

• Specialty grading (SCA score >85 fetches premium prices)
  
• Limited production from tribal micro-farms
  
• Cost of certifications (Organic, Fair Trade, GI)
  
• Export logistics (Visakhapatnam port costs)
  
• Processing methods (washed vs. natural)
  

Buyer Confidence Signals

• Global Specialty Recognition: High SCA cupping scores and presence in luxury coffee markets
  
• GI Certification: Provenance of origin guarantees authenticity
  
• Social Impact: Tribal farmer cooperatives ensure direct benefit-sharing
  
• Eco-Conscious Farming: 100% organic, carbon-positive cultivation
  
• Traceability: Blockchain and QR codes offer farm-level transparency