The United Planters Association of Southern India (UPASI), the apex body for the plantation sector, has said that the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) presents a challenge to the coffee and rubber growers.

It has suggested that the government engage with the EU to seek a practical, proportionate and non-discriminatory implementation of the norms that will come into effect by the end of this year.

Addressing the 133rd annual conference of the trade body in Coonoor on Wednesday, Ajoy Thipaiah, President, UPASI, said the EUDR is more a non-tariff barrier to trade.

“While the European Union has stated that its objective is to prevent deforestation and promote sustainable supply chains, the compliance requirements place a considerable burden on producing countries and small growers. That, however, may be, the enforcement of EUDR -- following a couple of deferments - will present significant challenges to India’s coffee and rubber sectors.

”The regulation requires detailed evidence of traceability, geolocation, legality of production and deforestation-free status. Meeting these requirements across thousands of small and fragmented holdings will involve substantial costs, technical capacity and institutional coordination, Thipaiah said.

Indian coffee and rubber are largely produced by small and medium growers, many of whom may not have access to digital tools, accurate land records or the resources required to undertake complex compliance procedures.

There is also a risk that non-compliant growers may be excluded from international supply chains, affecting their incomes and market access, the UPASI President said.

“The immediate need is, therefore, for a coordinated national response. Government agencies, the Coffee Board, the Rubber Board, State Governments, industry associations and growers must work together to create reliable traceability systems, simplify documentation, support geolocation and provide affordable compliance services. The Government should also engage with the European Union to seek practical, proportionate and non-discriminatory implementation. Financial assistance, technical support, capacity building and transitional mechanisms will be essential,” Thipaiah said.

“India’s coffee and rubber sectors are committed to sustainability and responsible production. However, compliance should not become a barrier that penalises genuine growers or undermines their livelihoods. We urge the Government to take timely remedial measures so that Indian producers remain competitive, protected and meaningfully integrated into global markets,” Thipaiah said.

Further, as we look ahead, the plantation sector must embrace a future that is built on innovation, sustainability and collaboration. “The future of tea, coffee, rubber and spices will depend not only on how much we produce, but also on how efficiently we produce, how effectively we market, and how successfully we create value,” Thipaiah said.

The UPASI president also raised the concern over the resurgence in tea imports this calendar year.

“Although imports declined during 2025, they witnessed a sharp resurgence in 2026, increasing by 50.6% to an estimated 15.06 million kg (January-June 2026), compared with the corresponding period of the previous year. This renewed inflow of imported tea is a matter of concern for the domestic industry and calls for appropriate remedial measures to safeguard the interests of Indian tea producers.” Thipaiah said.

“At a time when domestic producers are facing escalating costs, the entry of low-quality teas at significantly lower unit values poses a serious threat to the sustainability of the sector. It affects domestic auction markets, weakens demand for locally produced teas and undermines the economic viability of plantations.” he said.

Published on September 23, 2026