STiR coffee and tea magazine

STiR coffee and tea 9 Enjoy with confidence Vertrauen in Genuss Enjoy with confidence Vertrauen in Genuss YOUR EXPERT for high quality leaf tea High level of product security Extensive stock availability of a wide range of teas Organic and sustainable certified teas www.wollenhaupt.com fetching a fairly good premium for all types of Indian coffees. The major shift in exports is the increased share of value-added coffee exports which were at 30% of overall exports and in 2023 their share increased to 38%. Further, the export of specialty coffees and many micro lots are in demand and increasing. Domestic consumption is on the rise with increased disposable incomes and a rise in café chains etc. STiR: With greater developments in specialty coffee, greater out-of-home consumption, more access to coffee varieties, and education about coffee, is it more en- trenched as a lifestyle product in India today? Or are we still largely filter coffee/ instant coffee drinkers? KG: Yes, I agree that the Indian market is surely and steadily evolving at a rapid pace and is no longer restricted to tradi- tional coffee consumption patterns. The young Indian populace is very aware and ready to experiment and experience different coffees, processes, and brewing methods. Coffee today in India is more experiential and way beyond just being a lifestyle product! Though there are new formats of coffee gaining space in the domestic coffee segment, however, still a long way to develop a robust domestic market as largely dominated by filter/instant coffee drinkers. The occasional coffee drinkers are on the rise especially in non-south regions (as the South is a traditional coffee-drinking market), and opportunities exist for increasing domestic coffee consumption in the country. STiR: In terms of innovation in coffee production and processing, what can we expect to see this year? Who is spearheading these developments? KG: With the learnings, interest, and insights post WCC, the Coffee Board along with the support of the stakeholders has formulated various programs for doubling production, post-harvesting processing training, and quality upgradation awareness and training programs and is on top of it when spearheading developments in the sector. STiR: How are the non-traditional areas faring in coffee? What can we expect to see from there? KG: The non-traditional areas (Andhra Pradesh and Odisha) have immense potential for increasing the production of coffee through the expansion of areas under coffee as well as increasing productivity levels as the majority of these coffees are produced by tribal communities with primitive agriculture practices. The Coffee Board with the active involvement of respective state governments has strategically proposed plans for increasing coffee production in non-traditional areas. The quality of coffees from these areas is also exceptional getting recognized both domestically as well as internationally. Therefore, we can expect that the non-traditional areas contribute largely to expanding production share thereby improving the living incomes of the majority tribal community and sustainable coffee-forest ecosystem in the podu lands of these areas. (Podu is a traditional system of cultivation used by tribes in India, whereby different areas of jungle forest are cleared by burning each year.) STiR: Is income from coffee sufficient to support farmers with small holdings? What would you like to see change for those whose livelihoods depend on coffee? KG: Coffee is a major employment and livelihood generator and is a boon to farmers. Focusing value addition to their produce, we can be sure their livelihoods will only further improve. STiR: And finally, what are you expecting for Indian coffee in 2024? KG: We are optimistic that it will be a very Happy New Year/ Era for Indian coffees in 2024! The Indian coffee sector is said to grow in the coming years. BIO: Deputy Commissioner of Kalaburagi & Dakshina Kannada districts, Managing Director of Rajiv Gandhi Rural Housing Corporation Limited (RGRHCL) and Deputy Commissioner of Mangaluru. He had also served as the Director of Horticulture, Assistant Commissioner of Kalaburagi sub-division, and Commissioner of Kalaburagi City Corporation.

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