Robusta Coffee Production in Brazil Shows Significant Growth and Expansion PotentialThe production of robusta coffee in Brazil has been growing significantly in recent years. For 2025, the harvest of

The production of robusta coffee in Brazil has been growing significantly in recent years. For 2025, the harvest of this variety is estimated at 20.1 million processed bags, representing an increase of 37.2% compared to the previous year, according to data from Conab (National Supply Company). This positive result is attributed to more stable climatic conditions during the critical phases of the crops, which favored part of the flowering, and to the good fruit formation from rosettes, especially in Espírito Santo, which accounts for 69% of the country’s conilon/robusta production.

Indeed, the variety shows greater resistance to heat, drought, and diseases compared to Arabica coffee, making it increasingly resilient in the face of constant climate changes, which are increasingly impacting Brazilian coffee production.

According to a study released by the Dutch bank Rabobank, with successive and growing climate unpredictabilities, Brazilian producers have been relying on irrigation as a strategic solution to ensure higher productivity. In the case of robusta coffee, irrigation has already played a central role in the expansion and modernization of plantations. The study adds that currently about 71% of Brazil’s robusta plantations are irrigated, and projections indicate that this could reach 363,800 hectares by 2040.

Although the operational costs of robusta production are higher due to its labor-intensive nature and dependence on irrigation, its significantly higher productivity—almost 170% more per hectare than Arabica—helps offset these expenses.

“In a global market increasingly impacted by climate volatility, the intrinsic characteristics of robusta, combined with Brazil’s capacity for large-scale cultivation, position the country to offer a more stable and reliable supply. Brazil has full potential to consolidate itself as the leading global player in the robusta coffee market,” the Dutch bank study further notes.

The 2017 Agricultural Census from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) indicates that Brazil has about 76,000 robusta coffee producers, with nearly 86% operating farms of up to 50 hectares, highlighting the predominance of small and medium producers, who account for about 56% of national production.

According to market analyst Gil Barabach from Safras & Mercado, in recent years, robusta coffee has experienced a leap in productivity, especially in Espírito Santo. “When we had a severe drought, there were very old plantations. With the drought, producers took the opportunity to renew the crops, introducing newer plantations with a different productive system. This gave a boost to productivity. We are still experiencing this investment phase, but there is room to grow robusta production, especially given the currently high prices for this variety,” explained the analyst.

Gil also points out that the variety, which is constantly included in blends, has export potential: “This growth in coffee consumption in Asia is good news because it matches the growth of Brazil’s conilon/robusta production,” he projected.

For consultant and partner director at Pine Agronegócios, Vicente Zotti, the variety could drive a new internal demand dynamic: “Since we have maintained higher productive potential than Arabica in recent years, robusta is capturing a significant portion of internal Arabica coffee demand. We could see daily increases in robusta plantations next year. Where there is capacity and logistics, production will increase,” Zotti added.

Data from Embrapa highlight that Brazil has about 28 million hectares of degraded pastures that could be converted to agriculture without the need for deforestation. This opens up possibilities for sustainable expansion of robusta coffee in the country in the coming years.

By: Raphaela Ribeiro

Source: Notícias Agrícolas