Brazil

Shaking things up

Brazil is a hugely efficient agricultural nation, in fact agriculture contributes 10% of the nation’s GDP, and employs over 20% of its workforce. Coffee is one of the most important pieces in this puzzle; Brazil is consistently ranked first in the world in terms of total coffee production. In 2019 Brazil harvested a total of 61.6 million bags, or 35.3% of the global total, while second-placed Vietnam produced 29 million bags or 16.6% of the global total. Even more impressive is that Vietnam produces almost exclusively high yielding Robusta, the next largest Arabica growing country was Colombia at 14.3 million bags, less than a quarter of Brazil’s total. The size of the industry leads to a slightly more financially sustainable industry here than in much of the rest of the coffee world, making Brazil a hugely interesting and diverse producer of coffees. Although it is known for one rather ‘classic’ and homogeneous chocolate and nut-driven flavour profile, many new processes, varietals and even little-known regions are beginning to shake this perception. This has taken years of work by several dedicated and talented actors in the coffee chain, and we are now starting to taste the fruits of their labours.