Brazil

Country overview

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Brazilians often refer to their country as terrinha. It is a term of endearment that means “little land” - and the irony isn’t lost on us. With its continental dimensions and states bigger than many European countries, Brazil has been the world’s largest coffee producer and exporter for over 150 years.

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The country produces more than 50% of the world’s coffee. This is due to more than good weather and gentle slopes for mechanised harvesting. There is
also extensive research in production, a set of government policies to support farmers, and a
precise approach to irrigation and fertilising. 

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Algrano is very important to us. It’s a window to access the market and specialty coffee buyers. With the possibilities Algrano brings to us, a connection to specialty coffee roasters that are compatible with our business model, we can constantly adapt, provide value and create solutions for the needs of roasters.
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^{Fabrício Andrade | Sancoffee}

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History of coffee production

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The success of today’s coffee sector in Brazil goes back to the 19th century. Coffee became the country’s main export in 1830. Back then, São Paulo was the biggest producing country, driving a wave of modernisation and economic investment, turning the coffee barons of old into influential political figures.

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This stage of Brazilian coffee history, known as the “coffee cycle”, popularised the still pervasive stereotype of large coffee estates run by wealthy farmers. This was true at the time and so was the fact that Brazil’s coffee production expanded on the back of slavery, abolished only in 1888. 

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But things look rather different now. Today, around 300 thousand homes grow coffee in 15 states in Brazil, and most run small family farms. There is no definition for how many hectares a farm should have to be considered small. Properties below 25 hectares are assumed to be in that category.

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This partnership started in 2016 and has been growing since. Some clients started buying 30 bags and today buy more than 600. It’s a work of trust and credibility. We have blind trust in every client who comes to us through Algrano because we trust their work. There’s nothing better than talking to your clients, exchanging ideas, and building relationships. They become our friends. It’s not just trading.

^{Maurício Hervaz | APAS Coffee}

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Legislation

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Brazil also has strong environmental and labour legislations for coffee production, with hefty fines for those who don’t comply. These include the protection of forests and water sources, adequate housing conditions and protection equipment for workers, the prevention of slave-like and child labour, etc.

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On top of compliance with local legislation, Algrano requires that Verified Sellers sign a Code of Conduct regarding their practices. Large estates and cooperatives are also requested to have one or more certifications. 

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Quality and harvest

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Today, more than 50% of Brazil’s coffee is produced in Minas Gerais, followed by Espírito Santo (the largest Capenhora producer in the country). Around 80% of the coffee is Arabica of the Mundo Novo and Catuaí varieties. But a wide range of varieties is found throughout the country, from traditional Bourbons, Icatus, and Acaiás to the newer Obatãs, Topázios and Paraísos. 

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The coffee harvest runs from April to October, peaking from late May to July. The process is largely mechanised but manual picking also exists in mountainous areas, such as Matas de Minas and the south of Espírito Santo. The traditional processing methods are Natural and Pulped Natural, though Brazilian producers are experimenting with multiple fermentations and creating their own recipes. 

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Brazilian producers include some of Algrano’s oldest partners. Today, more than 20 farmers and cooperatives in Brazil actively sell coffee in the marketplace. They are small and medium coops offering regional blends or farm lots, and innovative estates led by a new generation of quality-focused producers.