Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications
Tuesday, Oct 21, 2003
Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications Tuesday, Oct 21, 2003 |
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Agri-Biz & Commodities
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Coffee illycafe plans to blend more Indian arabicas in Espresso Vishwanath Kulkarni
Dr Andrea illy
Bangalore, Oct. 20 IT'S early days for specialty coffees in India and companies like the $200-million illycaffe S.p.A. see good growth opportunity through blends like Espresso, said the company's CEO, Mr Andrea illy, in Bangalore. Speaking to Business Line on the sidelines of the First India Coffee Quality Awards ceremony, Mr illy said: "I think specialty coffees in India are at the beginning. There is a good opportunity for growth particularly through Espresso, which is totally consistent with the Indian taste because it is a high body, strong flavour taste and mixes with local food and tradition." Commenting on the change in quality of specialty coffees in India, Mr illy said, "It is a process which will grow steadily and I think it will not be a revolution but a counter-revolution. It cannot be explosive like it was in the US, where it was a change of perception and change of consuming habits from American coffee to Espresso, because we have overwhelming tea drinkers in India. It will take longer time and also it is a question disposable incomes." On India as a market for blends like Espresso, Mr iIlly said the country was protective as far as coffee imports were concerned. India levies an import duty of 108 per cent on coffee imports, he said. "Because of the high import taxes in India, we are not representative as yet as a brand to benchmark with," Mr illy said adding that the country, however, had a significant market potential. Meanwhile, Mr illy told a press conference that his company acknowledged the excellent quality and characteristics of Indian coffee and plans to step up sourcing of the Arabica varieties. illycaffe sourced about four per cent of the total Plantation A variety produced in India during 2002-03, accounting for 2,400 tonnes, an increase of 33 per cent over previous year's 1,800 tonnes. About 20 per cent of the Indian coffee goes into illy blends, which is made of nine ingredients. illycaffe, the only roaster in the world marketing just one blend, pays a premium of 30 per cent to the Indian coffee growers, he said. "Indian coffee was optimal for Espresso," Mr illy said. "It is well-prepared with high-body, positive bitterness and excellent aroma. Our experts noted that India coffee compared well in terms of quality and organolectic characteristics, with that produced in Brazil," added Mr illy. About five million cups of Espresso are consumed a day in over 40,000 restaurants, hotels and bars across 75 countries. illycaffe, which buys green coffee directly from growers in Brazil, Central America, India and Africa, is looking at enhancing partnership with the Indian growers by transferring the know-how on agronomical practices and creating awareness among them about quality.
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