Indian coffee stakeholders are currently preparing to comply with the upcoming European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) norms, according to Kurma Rao M, CEO and Secretary of the Coffee Board.
The EUDR norms are scheduled to come into effect on December 30 of this year. These regulations mandate that specific commodities, including coffee and cocoa, must be deforestation-free and fully traceable with precise geolocation data. Companies exporting to European Union markets must conduct thorough deforestation analysis, detailed risk assessments, and risk mitigation to ensure goods are not sourced from areas deforested since December 31, 2020. India has been categorized as a low-risk country, and the European Union remains a major market for Indian coffee exports, accounting for over 45 percent of shipments.
Addressing the preparation measures, Rao stated that a ready plan is in place to comply with the regulations. The preparedness focuses primarily on creating awareness and ensuring the availability of required technology. The Coffee Board is working closely with growers and exporters to help them understand and meet these requirements.
To establish that coffee does not originate from deforested areas, the critical requirement is providing the geolocation polygon of the production area or estate. The Coffee Board has integrated a specific module into the India Coffee App, serving as an integrated solution for stakeholders. The platform is being utilized to conduct educational and consultative sessions with growers.
In addition to the mobile app, the Board is leveraging its digital mobile advisory service, Coffee Krishi Taranga, to broadcast voice messages regarding EUDR compliance. Currently, more than 1.62 lakh growers are registered on this platform. Discussions have also been held with traders and exporters to ensure that necessary technology solutions are developed and that the entire value chain—including growers and processors—works collectively.
Meanwhile, the Indian coffee sector continues to post strong export figures. For the April-July period of the current financial year, India’s coffee exports grew by 24 percent to over 1.68 lakh tonnes, compared to 1.35 lakh tonnes in the corresponding period last year. In value terms, exports increased by 12 percent to $855 million, up from $765 million previously.
"As global trade regulations tighten, compliance and digital integration have become critical for traditional sectors like agriculture and coffee exports. The proactive approach taken by the Coffee Board in leveraging mobile applications and digital platforms for geolocation tracking ensures that Indian growers and exporters can maintain uninterrupted access to key international markets like the European Union. Adhering to standards such as the EUDR will ultimately strengthen the global competitiveness and long-term sustainability of the Indian coffee supply chain." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes
