India’s largest privately held coffee grower to highlight sustainable, traceable beans as global demand for premium coffee rises
Kelachandra Coffee, India’s largest privately held coffee plantation company, will present its shade-grown, hand-harvested Indian Specialty Coffee at the Specialty Coffee Association of Japan (SCAJ) Conference & Exhibition 2025, Asia’s largest specialty coffee platform. The event runs from 24–27 September at Tokyo Big Sight, Japan.
The company will showcase premium Arabica and Robusta varieties—including Chandragiri, S.795, HDTxCatuai, Paredenia and CxR—sourced from its Rainforest Alliance (RFA)-certified estates in Karnataka. All plantations are also compliant with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), positioning Kelachandra as one of India’s pioneers in responsible coffee cultivation.
Strengthening India–Japan coffee ties
Kelachandra, which cultivates coffee across 14 estates spanning 6,500 acres in Karnataka and Kerala, views SCAJ 2025 as a platform to deepen India–Japan trade relations. With domestic specialty coffee exports on the rise, the company aims to showcase Indian beans’ distinctive taste, traceable origins, and sustainable practices to traders, roasters and connoisseurs.
“Indian specialty coffee is known for its superior quality and distinctive taste. At SCAJ 2025, we will spotlight the richness of our terroir, technology-driven processing, and innovations that bring out the finest flavours,” said Neleema Rana George, Head of Coffee Works and Technology at Kelachandra Coffee.
Sustainability and heritage
The estates follow agroforestry, intercropping, and R&D into soil health and crop quality, alongside conservation efforts. With 55% of its workforce being women, Kelachandra underscores its philosophy of harmonising people, places and processes.
“For us, sustainability is not an afterthought—it is embedded from seed to cup,” said Rishina Kuruvilla, Head of CSR and Sustainability.
Adding to this, Ryana Kuruvilla, Head of People and Culture, noted: “Japanese coffee lovers value quality and the story behind every bean. Our estates embody that legacy, blending agrarian tradition with innovation and community upliftment.”
Global opportunity
SCAJ 2025 will feature exhibitors from 30 countries and visitors from nearly 70. With its theme “Belong Together in Coffee!”, the event provides Indian producers with a stage to expand their international footprint. Kelachandra Coffee will be at Booth 1203, inviting attendees to taste its specialty lots and explore collaborations.
