Coffee Consumers Face a Shift as Brazil Turns to Robusta
SÃO PAULO – The daily cup of coffee for consumers worldwide is poised for a significant change as Brazil, the worldS largest coffee producer, increasingly pivots from arabica to robusta beans. Driven by rising prices and improved quality, the shift is reshaping the global coffee market and could lead to a more prominent role for the bolder, more caffeinated robusta variety.
While arabica has long been favored for its smoother taste, robusta’s higher caffeine content and stronger flavor are gaining traction, particularly among younger generations who prioritize customization with milk, creams, and syrups. “They’re not so interested in provenance or tasting notes,” says Matthew Barry, an analyst at euromonitor International.This evolving consumer preference, coupled with economic factors, is fueling the transition in Brazil.
Robusta yields are nearly double those of arabica, incentivizing Brazilian farmers to invest in the variety, according to Alexsandro Teixeira, a researcher at the national agricultural research company Embrapa. furthermore, robusta producers are actively enhancing bean quality, making the variety more appealing and contributing to price increases.
The price difference between robusta and arabica is expected to widen in Europe due to new regulations requiring imported products to be certified as not originating from recently cleared or degraded land.Notably, instant coffee – predominantly made from robusta – is excluded from these rules, potentially boosting demand. The EU currently accounts for almost 50% of global instant coffee revenues, according to Grand View research.
Even as robusta prices reach record levels, the variety remains a more affordable option, and consumers may increasingly turn to it if arabica prices continue to climb. Recent economic data indicates a divergence in Eurozone activity,with surprising growth in Germany alongside a decline in France as of May 2024.
