Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/1515532
8 STiR coffee and tea | 2024 Issue 1 (February / March) Q A STiR: What was 2023 like for Indian coffee? KG: Quite encouraging. Coffee production is on a growth path with all-time high production recorded in 2022-23 at 352,000 metric tons (3.52 lakh MT) and current year 2023-24 production looks better to surpass last year's crop. Coffee exports have been doing very well in recent years and exports have crossed over $1 billion for the second consecutive year with $1.146 million in 2022-23. During the current year (April to November 2023), coffee exports were $783 million, showing an increase of 10% over last year's corresponding period. Of the total exports, nearly 35% is value-added coffee. STiR: And 2023 was also the year of the World Coffee Conference that you got to host. What were the big takeaways from the event? And have there been any significant post-event developments? KG: The WCC-2023 has been very promising to Indian coffees overall, where the high quality of Indian coffees along with the innovative and enthusiastic young market in India was showcased not only to the national but international audience. The big takeaways from WCC is that India could showcase the sustainable cultivation of high-quality coffees, Indian robustas have projected very well with the international community (as generally arabicas are highlighted in such big events) and the Indian coffee community wholeheartedly be part of the event. These include: • Coffees of India got their due recognition on the global stage and the world has truly woken up to what India has to offer when it comes to coffee. The big takeaway from WCC is that India could showcase the sustainable cultivation of high-quality coffees. This is due to the wholehearted support of all the coffee stakeholders, which is promising for the future of coffee in India. By Aravinda Anantharaman KG Jagadeesha, Ph.D. was named Secretary of Coffee Board of India in September 2020. He holds a master's in Genetics and a doctorate in Agriculture. He is a career officer in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), graduating in 2005. He held numerous posts including deputy commissioner, managing director, and director of horticulture as well as assistant commissioner and later commissioner of Kalaburagi city. The Promising Future of Indian Coffee • The coffee wave in India is young, diverse, and vibrant and this has led to many business deals being signed on the sidelines of WCC. • The quality coffees of India were showcased by the various coffee competitions, brew bars, and the cupping room which has led to an increased awareness of the quality and fine nuances of Indian coffee. • The exclusive grower's conclave and the Growers Village created at WCC was a unique platform for growers to interact with roasters, green coffee buyers, café owners and academicians and researchers to learn, experience, and gain insights into the opportunities that exist in the coffee sector in India and abroad. • WCC has surely created a whole new level of awareness and interest among the young domestic coffee aficionados, entrepreneurs, and consum- ers in India. Significant post-event developments in the Indian coffee sector recognized the quality of coffees and drove towards the improvement of coffee quality on-farm and off-farm levels, presenting the uniqueness and niche high-quality coffees to the world and recognizing sustainable coffee farming and living incomes to the coffee stakeholders. STiR: Have there been any new developments concerning policies or the Board's focus that could impact the industry at large? KG: The recent new regulations such as the European Union Regulation on Trade of Deforestation Free Products (EUDR) are being addressed at a policy level by the Board in consultation with the stakeholders. STiR: Concerning markets, what is the Board's focus on developing new markets for Indian coffee? How are Indian coffee's regular markets doing? What is the shift in exports vs domes- tic consumption in recent years? KG: Indian coffee is exported to more than 120 countries annually. The regular markets for Indian coffee being Euro- pean Union with a 55% share are always doing better while there is an increasing visibility in other markets like the US, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, and Scandinavian countries, Dr KG Jagadeesha speaking at the 2023 World Coffee Conference in Bangalore, India.