Bengaluru: Karnataka's coffee heartland — comprising Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru, and Hassan — is staring at a regulatory storm as the European Union's stringent Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) looms large. "Coffee prices are finally looking up after years of volatility, but this regulation threatens to undo our gains," said KK Vishwanath, vice-president of the Karnataka Coffee Growers Federation. A grower registration model, integrated with its India Coffee App, is being rolled out. That's a disaster for the three hilly regions of Karnataka, where coffee is not just a crop but a livelihood. If the Coffee Board's system works, this regulation could actually highlight our sustainable practices and fetch us a premium.

Source: The Times September 14, 2025 23:13 UTC