Colombian specialty coffee chain Libertario, which entered the Indian market last year, is accelerating its expansion in the country, betting on rising consumer interest in premium and specialty coffees. The company plans to open four more cafés in the Delhi-NCR region this year before expanding into Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru in early 2027, according to a report by The Hindu Business Line.
India Expansion Strategy
Libertario, founded in 2015 by a Colombian coffee-producing family, aims to promote an experience-led specialty coffee culture, moving beyond the conventional 'grab-and-go' café model. The company now operates across six countries — Colombia, Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico, the US, and India — with businesses spanning cafés, B2B coffee supplies, and e-commerce.
"We have been coffee farmers, exporters and hospitality operators for many years before launching Libertario. We saw a gap for a quality-first, hospitality-driven coffee experience and built the brand around that," said Miguel Villaquiran, Co-founder and India CEO of Libertario, according to the report.
Localisation Strategy
Unlike many international coffee brands, Libertario follows a localisation strategy by sourcing most of its beans from the markets where it operates while showcasing select Colombian and other international specialty coffees. Approximately 70-80% of the coffee served in Colombia, Mexico, Costa Rica, and India is locally sourced, the report noted.
| Region | Sourcing Strategy |
|---|---|
| Colombia, Mexico, Costa Rica, India | 70-80% locally sourced coffee |
| India (current profiles) | 3 out of 5 profiles are Indian-origin |
"In India, three of our five coffee profiles are Indian-origin coffees. We always maintain a mix of local and international specialty coffees to deliver the best flavour experience while supporting regional coffee growers," Villaquiran said, as per the report.
Global Promotion of Indian Coffees
The company has also begun promoting Indian specialty coffees globally. It recently showcased Indian coffees at exhibitions organised by the Colombian government in the UAE and Colombia, receiving an encouraging response from international buyers.
"Consumers in Colombia were excited to try Indian coffees because they are something different, just as Indian consumers are curious about Colombian coffees. Specialty coffee consumers are increasingly looking for unique origins and flavour profiles," Villaquiran said.
Sourcing and Partnerships
After partnering with two large Indian coffee estates during its first year of operations, Libertario plans to expand its sourcing network by working with more growers this year, according to the report.
Villaquiran said the growing curiosity among Indian consumers for Colombian specialty coffees has strengthened the company’s confidence in the market, while its blend of Colombian and Indian offerings provides a distinctive proposition in a café landscape dominated by domestic coffee brands.
Next milestone: Liberation's entry into Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru in early 2027, following the completion of four new cafés in Delhi-NCR by end of 2026.
Sources:
