Insights on the Brazil Harvest

Cherry is being harvested now in Brazil. To learn more about the harvest, coffee quality and more, we spoke with our colleagues at Sucafina in Brazil: Jose Antonio Okada, Specialty Managing Trader, and Mariana Martins, Sustainability Manager. 

“Cup profile definitely looks better this year” Jose says. “This is due to a slightly more homogeneous harvest, investments in new varieties, better coffee handling on the drying patios and improved post-harvest methods that are aimed at enhancing the value of coffees.”  

While taste has been good, we continue to monitor concerns regarding screen sizes. We’ve noticed a high percentage in low-grade coffees and a lower percentage of large-screen coffees (17/18). This might be because we experienced scattered flowering last year, which compromised the proper development of the beans due to lack of rain. We are closely monitoring this data, Jose says.  

The Arabica crop is 52.8% harvested and is expected to be 3.6% larger than last season. The Robusta crop is 90% harvested and is expected to be 6.5% smaller than last year, Jose says. 

For coffees heading to the European Union, all eyes are now on the deforestation regulation, EUDR. “The Brazil team is closely following the rules and remains committed to exploring new suppliers, as well as promoting our IMPACT verification as a solution to EUDR regulations. Our next step is to continue implementing projects that assist producers in meeting these rules, aiming to expand our supplier portfolio and further emphasize our role as responsible originators. We are keeping a close watch on developments and are ready to adapt to any changes,” Jose explains.  

The team is actively working on sourcing from new suppliers, including Robusta growers in Rondonia and specialty suppliers from Alto Caparaó, as well as producers from  Matas de Minas, Cerrado, Southern Minas and Mogiana. 

Sucafina in Brazil continues to work on sustainability initiatives that impact producers in our supply chain. In Espirito Santo last June, Sucafina in Brazil hosted training for over 120  farmers. The main topics for trainings were sustainability, human rights and the environment. They also supported these farmers with reforestation practices by contributing native trees and trainings on creating a permanent protection area to protect water sources.  

Sucafina in Brazil is part of the Our Voice Program (Programa Nossa Voz). The program is lead by an external consultant and funded by the Global Fund for Modern Slavery. The goal is support to farmers as they implement grievance mechanisms on farms for workers. Sucafina in Brazil is responsible for helping IMPACT farmers join the program. Workers on those farms will receive training from the external consultant on fair labor practices and how to report any issues. The grievance mechanism, which will allow people to report issues, will be available as a WhatsApp channel. At this moment we have 15 farms in Sul de Minas involved. This involvement is part of our commitment to IMPACT’s pillars, which include Human Rights. IMPACT verified coffees are available from Brazil now.  

 Now is the time to book Brazilian coffees. Get in touch with your trader to sample and book.