Geographical indications set to boost Indian coffee sales

Coffee Board identifies 13 regions based on agro-climatic, taste profile.

The International Coffee Organisation's (ICO) move to introduce geographical indications (GIs) for coffee in its member countries is likely to boost sales of Indian coffee globally.

As a first step towards the adoption of GIs, ICO is holding a seminar "" Geographical Indications for Coffee "" in London on May 20.

The seminar will discuss the issues of labelling, traceability and certification, the current legal issues relating to geographical indications and the use of geographical indications.

"The seminar expects to educate members about approaches to product differentiation, which can be an important marketing tool in a competitive market," said Nestor Osorio, executive director, International Coffee Organization.

"India is known globally for shade-grown 'mild' coffee and is the only country growing all its coffee under shade. The coffee grown here is typically mild and not too acidic. It possess an exotic full-bodied taste and a fine aroma," said a Coffee Board official.

When coffee prices plummeted in 2002 and 2003, the Coffee Board took up the issue of product differentiation and branded different regions in the country.

Since then, it has identified 13 coffee growing regions based on agro-climatic conditions and the taste profiles by holding cupping competitions.

"The GI tag for different regions in India is likely to see region-wise promotion of coffee and help getting higher price realisations," the Coffee Board official pointed out.

DIFFERENT COFFEE GROWING REGIONS

Annamalais (Tamil Nadu) "" Total area under coffee: 2,500 hectares; average production: 1,500 tonnes; main intercrops: pepper, orange, and banana.

Araku Valley (Andhra Pradesh) "" Total area under coffee: 20,000 hectares; average production: 3,100 tonnes; main intercrops: pepper, mango, jackfruit, and vegetables.

Bababudangiris (Karnataka) "" Total area under coffee: 15,000 hectares; average production: 10,500 tonnes; main intercrops: pepper, cardamom, and arecanut.

Biligiris (Karnataka) "" Total area under coffee: 800 hectares; average production: 700-800 tonnes; main intercrops: orange, banana, and pepper.

Brahmaputra (Assam) "" Total area under coffee: 5,000 hectares; average production: 300 tonnes; main intercrops: pineapple, pepper, jackfruit, and vegetables.

Chikmagalur (Karnataka) "" Total area under coffee: Arabica (37,000 hectares), Robusta (23,000 hectares); average production: Arabica (29,000 tonnes), Robusta (30,000 tonnes); main intercrops: pepper, cardamom, arecanut, orange, and vanilla.

Coorg (Karnataka) "" Total area under coffee: Arabica (26,000 hectares), Robusta (56,000 hectares), average production: Arabica (24,000 tonnes), Robusta (69,000 tonnes); main intercrops: pepper, cardamom, orange, banana, and arecanut.

Manjarabad (Karnataka) "" Total area under coffee: Arabica (31,700 hectares), Robusta (9,400 hectares), average production: Arabica (21,000 tonnes), Robusta (9,500 tonnes); main intercrops: pepper, cardamom, orange, arecanut, and banana.

Nilgiris (Tamil Nadu) "" Total area under coffee: Arabica (3,600 hectares), Robusta (4,000 hectares), average production: Arabica (1,400 tonnes), Robusta (2,800 tonnes); main intercrops: pepper, orange, banana, ginger, and vegetables.

Pulney (Tamil Nadu) "" Total area under coffee: 14,000 hectares, average production: 7,500 tonnes; main intercrops: orange, banana, pepper, cardamom, and vegetables.

Shevroys (Tamil Nadu) "" Total area under coffee: 5,000 hectares, average production: 3,000 tonnes; main intercrops: orange, banana, and pepper.

Travancore (Kerala) "" Total area under coffee: 13,000 hectare and average production: 9,000 tonnes; main intercrops: pepper, banana, ginger, vegetables, and medicinal plants.

Wayanad (Kerala) "" Total area under coffee: 67,000 hectares and average production: 54,000 tonnes; main intercrops are pepper, banana, ginger, and vegetables.