High Range Coffee Curing Ltd (HRCC), a certified coffee processor and exporter in India, is poised to become the first farm verified by the Rainforest Alliance to ship EUDR-compliant coffee beans to Europe this month.
HRCC collaborated with the Rainforest Alliance to meet the stringent requirements of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
Founded in 1995 amidst the liberalization of India’s coffee industry, HRCC is located in the lush tropical forests of Periyapatna and Kushalnagar in the Coorg district, covering 142 hectares. Known for its premium coffee beans, the farm supplies major global brands and traders, including Nestlé, Unilever, E-Com Commodities, Olam, Continental Coffee, Louis Dreyfus Company, Vidya Coffee, and Allanasons, among others.
“Implementing EUDR posed significant challenges for our team,” said Mr. Zaidan M Saly, Director of High Range Coffee Curing. “However, with the invaluable guidance from Rainforest Alliance representatives in our region, we overcame these hurdles. Their expertise made the seemingly daunting task feasible, ensuring compliance with EUDR regulations and revolutionizing our approach to traceability.”
Indian coffee is unique for its growth under the shade of diverse native tree species, promoting biodiversity conservation and a balanced ecosystem. As the world’s sixth-largest coffee producer, India cultivates both arabica and robusta varieties, with high demand from the European Union, particularly Italy, Germany, and Belgium. Notably, nearly 20% of Indian coffee is Rainforest Alliance Certified.
Miguel Gamboa, the Rainforest Alliance’s Coffee Sector Lead, emphasized the importance of the EUDR in shifting the global coffee sector towards sustainable practices. “Many smallholder coffee farmers need support to align with the requirements, including traceability, deforestation risk mapping, local laws, and practical environmental practices,” Gamboa stated.
Rainforest Alliance certification already aligns coffee (and cocoa) farmers with EUDR criteria, enabling companies to source from these farms and track ingredients along supply chains, demonstrating compliance with deforestation risk assessments and mitigation requirements at no additional cost.
“We are piloting a deforestation risk assessment for companies buying non-certified coffee and cocoa,” Gamboa added. “This initiative aims to support more companies in their compliance journey and reach non-certified farmers, ensuring their products remain viable in the EU market.”
In light of some companies and governments advocating for the EU to relax the legislation or postpone its deadline, the Rainforest Alliance is urging the EU Commission to maintain the regulation’s integrity and timeline. It also calls on companies to continue supporting smallholder farmers in meeting these crucial legislative requirements rather than reducing their purchases.