Coffee growers in Kodagu step up efforts to tap the international market, eye Australia
The 120 growers have established Biota Coorg Farmers Producer Company, and in their ongoing efforts to find global market, hosted a 'Coffee Cup Tasting and Interaction' event to Deputy Consul General of Australia in Bengaluru General Steven Connelly, and others.
The office bearers and members of the company presented the taste of their shade-grown Robusta and Arabica coffee, cultivated in their plantations, to the visiting dignitaries that also included Steffi Cherian, Public Diplomacy Officer, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australian Consulate-General, Bengaluru
K.K. Vishwanath, CEO, said although Australia has been a coffee-consuming nation for a long time, it has traditionally imported coffee from other markets. 'Now, they are being introduced directly to Kodagu's unique shade-grown coffee through the Deputy Consul General based in Bengaluru,' he said.
This is an attempt to open new market opportunities for Kodagu coffee by establishing connections with Australian coffee businesses, said Mr. Vishwanath.
The host company appealed to the Australian delegation to act as a bridge by facilitating contacts with coffee traders in Australia.
The local growers also proposed the idea of enabling virtual 'cup tasting' sessions in which they would send coffee samples beforehand and requested assistance in creating a system to promote and market 'Kodagu Coffee' in Australia.
Mr.Vishwanath and other members of the company expressed confidence that given an opportunity to participate in coffee marketing programmes and exhibitions that are held in Australia, they could leave a lasting impression of Kodagu's coffee.
Earlier in the day, the visiting Australian delegation were taken on a tour of Kodagu's coffee estates and apprised of the methods of producing shade-grown coffee.
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