Brazilian farmers are gearing up to kick off a larger robusta coffee harvest this year. This comes at a time when local prices are on the rise and robusta futures in London hit a 16-year peak. Brazil is the second-largest producer of robusta after Vietnam and the largest producer of arabica coffee beans. While robusta is known for being bitter and having a higher caffeine content, arabica is a smoother and more prized variety.
The expectation is that the new robusta bean harvest will hit the market in June or July, following drying and cleaning processes. Enrique Alves, a researcher at Embrapa in Rondônia, notes that many farmers who start harvesting early do so to generate revenue and cover expenses, even if many beans are still green on the trees. He emphasizes the importance of beginning the harvest when at least 80% of the beans are mature.
Additionally, the brokerage firm StoneX estimates Brazil’s 2024 robusta crop at 22.7 million bags, up from 21.5 million bags in 2023. However, Alves points out that many farmers sold their new crop the previous year at lower prices, which may limit the full benefit of price recovery. Patrocinio, an agricultural consultant, also notes an increase in robusta planting, with investors seeking areas with irrigation potential.
Source: Reuters