Indian Ambassador Suresh Reddy launches the Indian coffee promotion event (photo credit of the Indian embassy)
The event, titled Aroma of India: Unveiling the Richness of Indian Coffee and held on 23 December at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, brought together diplomats and Egyptian industry representatives to showcase Indian coffee varieties and discuss opportunities for increasing imports into Egypt, where the coffee market has been diversifying in recent years.
Speaking at the event, Indian Ambassador to Egypt Suresh Reddy said Egypt represents a growing market for Indian coffee, citing rising domestic demand and interest in new blends. He called for closer trade and investment cooperation between the two countries to support expanded exports.
Reddy highlighted the international profile of Indian coffee, including Monsooned Malabar, a variety known for its distinctive flavour developed through exposure to monsoon humidity during transport before the opening of the Suez Canal. He said Indian producers later replicated those climatic conditions to preserve the coffee’s characteristics as shipping methods changed.
“The Egyptian market represents a promising destination for Indian coffee,” Reddy said, citing Egypt’s growing economy and a young population increasingly open to new coffee experiences. He called for closer communication and expanded trade and investment cooperation between the two countries.
Egyptian coffee traders said Indian coffee already has a significant presence in the local market. Hassan Fawzy, head of the Coffee Division at the Cairo Chamber of Commerce, said Indian beans are commonly used in Egyptian Turkish coffee blends due to their strong body and balanced flavour.
“Egypt has been importing Indian coffee for decades,” Fawzy said, adding that Indian Arabica and Robusta varieties allow manufacturers to tailor blends to different consumer preferences.
He said Indian coffee accounts for about 25 percent of imports at some Egyptian factories, with plans to increase that share, though challenges remain, including supply availability and rising prices.
Fawzy added that coffee trade extends beyond commerce, serving as a channel for cultural exchange. He praised the Indian embassy’s role in supporting bilateral cooperation and called for addressing challenges such as supply availability and high spice prices to strengthen the Egypt–India partnership and support sustainable economic growth.
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