Coffee export has seen a big jump in the fiscal 2006-2007 with the Coffee Board issuing permits to export 2,55,421 tonne, up from 2,02,879 tonne during the last fiscal.

According to board officials, the year saw a rise of 26 per cent in coffee exports. Of the total permits issued, exporters shipped 2,16,995 tonne, up 10 per cent from 1,98,076 tonne a year ago.

The foreign exchange inflow through coffee exports increased to Rs 1,729.63 crore (Rs 17.3 billion), up 17 per cent from Rs 1,482.96 crore (Rs 14.83 billion) during the same period in the previous fiscal.

Moreover, the value for the Indian coffee also witnessed phenomenal increase during the fiscal following rising demand in the international markets.

The unit value for the period surged by 6 per cent to Rs 79,708 per tonne from Rs 74,868 per tonne a year ago.

According to officials, all the permits issued in 2006-07 might not have been converted into exports. Conclusive figures on shipments would be out only during May or June as many of the exporters are yet to submit post-shipment documents.

Registered exporters can submit the post-shipment documents on export of coffee within 45 days of obtaining each export permit.

Market players said the country's revenue from coffee exports could touch Rs 2,000 crore (Rs 20 billion) if the exporters shipped entire quantity of coffee for which the board has already issued permits. But experts are doubtful about 100 per cent exports against the permits issued.

Market experts forecast that the exporters may ship close to 245,000 tonne against the total permits issued for around 255,000 tonne.