Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/763665
46 STiR coffee and tea / Issue 6, 2016 (December/January) Source: Conab Note: Estimates for 2016 Historical Production of Robusta (Brazil) Production in millions of 60-kilo bags 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 0 3 6 9 12 15 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Espírito Santo Espírito Santo is the heart of robusta production in Brazil, accounting for 20% of robus- ta globally. Robusta supports 80% of small rural properties in the state and accounts for 35% of the nation's agricultural gross domestic product (GDP). Arabica makes up 28% of the state's total yield. The latest report from governmental Institute of Research, Technical Assistance and Rural Extension of Espírito Santo (INCAPER) states that: l Robusta covers 700,00 acres (283,000 hectares) of the 1.1 million acres of cof- fee planted in the state; l Robusta is grown on 40,000 farms, distributed across 63 municipalities and em- ploys 78,000 families; l Robusta generates 250,000 direct and indirect jobs Highly skilled producers can achieve production levels of 100 60-kilo bags per hectare (40 bags per acre). The average is 35 bags per hectare (14 bags per acre). While the size of Brazil's farms is small, averaging 8 hectares, about 70% of robusta growers irrigate. This and the help of Technical Assistance and Rural Extension (In- caper), are reasons why productivity increased significantly in the past 25 years. New varietals Replacing aging stock with new varietals that display improved genetic characteristics is one of several actions that Brazil is undertaking to produce more and better robusta. Currently there are 200 gardens growing clonal seedlings to spread across the Brazilian territory. Diamante ES8112, Centenária ES8132, EMCAPA 8141 Robustão Capixaba, and EMCAPER 8151 Robusta Tropical are some of the new cultivars registered and protected at Espírito Santo. come necessary to import robusta which has led to an intense debate between the industry representa- tives and other coffee sector leaders. On one side, the Brazilian Association of Solu- ble Coffee Industries (ABICS) suggests importing robusta as a temporary solution. ABICS president Aguinaldo José de Lima, points out that 80% of Brazil's instant coffee is made with robusta. This volume cannot be replaced by arabica. He says that the solubles industry would prefer not to im- port, but he must find a ways to keep the segment working. The majority of coffee interests, including co- operatives, associations, producers, brokers, and members at the National Coffee Council (CNC) are deeply concerned that imports would lead to predatory competition. Considering the strict en- vironmental and labor laws in Brazil, the cost of robusta production is higher when compared to other countries, where the same laws are not nec- essary respected. Importing inexpensive robusta "is not fair, especially for the Brazilian producer who is taking all the risks and the chances in the last years," said Carvalhaes. He said a little patience and even a momen- tarily loss of share in the international and national markets may be needed by "domestic market pro- tectors." The shortfall is forcing new techniques, bet- ter use of water, new irrigation technology and development of robusta varietals such as clonal coffees. Combined these investments will change the shortfall scenario within two years, Esthério predicts. "I am sure that the production will be regularized or even get bigger," concludes. The debate is ongoing and at the time of pub- lication, no conclusion was reached. No one can guarantee that imported coffee will enter the Bra- zilian frontiers but all agree the crisis in manufac- turing is getting worse. Importing coffee is considered the last resort in the world's largest coffee producing country. *Footnote: In 1727 Francisco de Melo Palheta planted the first coffee tree in Pará. Cultiva- tion expanded near Rio de Janeiro in 1770. Coffee was initially planted for domestic con- sumption but by 1830 Brazil produced 30% of the world's coffee and by 1920 it accounted for 80% of coffee grown worldwide. Today it produces nearly 60% of the world's coffee. Coffee in Espírito Santo 9.8 million bags 2.9 million bags 12.8 million bags total Total area under coffee 3.3 million square miles (8.5 million km 2 )