EN 
PT_BR 
By Oliver Griffin
SAO PAULO, Feb 12 (Reuters) – Varieties of canephora coffee, including conilon and robusta, are expanding in Brazilian states that traditionally produce little or no of this type of bean, as high prices increase interest, according to industry leaders, researchers and authorities.
Brazil is the world's largest producer of Arabica coffee, the milder-tasting type preferred by coffee shops. And, for now, it is the second-largest producer of Robusta coffee, a stronger variety used for espresso and instant coffee – but the country is rapidly catching up with Vietnam, the largest producer.
The state of Espírito Santo produces the vast majority of Brazil's Robusta coffee, mainly the Conilon variety. However, since 2020, production in states such as Mato Grosso and Minas Gerais has increased significantly, according to data from the National Supply Company (Conab).
The coffee industry expects the trend to continue.
The planting of Robusta coffee beyond its traditional borders has been driven by high prices, said Ricardo Schneider, president of the Minas Gerais Coffee Trade Center, in an interview.
"The environment is favorable for this movement to continue," said Schneider, citing the increased demand for Robusta coffee and the space available for cultivation.
Analysts say that quality has improved, which has contributed to demand.
A year ago, prices for canephora — marketed as robusta — hit a record high of US$$5.849 per metric ton.
Since then, prices have fallen, but remain high compared to historical levels. Arabica, the most expensive bean, also traded at record prices last year and has seen a similar drop.
Although Minas Gerais is the main producer of Arabica coffee in Brazil, Robusta production in the state is expected to reach 602,200 60 kg bags in 2026, which would represent an increase of 941 TP4T compared to 2020, according to data from Conab.
Rondônia inspires Mato Grosso.
Mato Grosso, one of Brazil's largest agricultural states, known for its vast soybean and corn farms, is taking inspiration from its neighbor Rondônia, a producer of so-called "Amazonian robusta," in its quest to increase coffee production, agronomists told Reuters.
“On average, our productivity is 23 sacks per hectare. Productivity in Rondônia is 50 sacks per hectare. Our goal is for our average to reach that level,” said Dalilhia Nazaré dos Santos, agronomist at the Mato Grosso State Agricultural Research, Assistance and Extension Company (Empaer-MT). “Our goal is for our average to reach that level.”
Robusta coffee production in Mato Grosso is expected to reach 298,700 sacks this year, according to Conab, up from 158,400 sacks in 2020.
According to the most recent Conab data on the harvest, Ceará is grouped into "others" along with Acre and Pará. The combined production of these states is expected to reach 118,700 sacks in 2026, almost triple the 40,000 sacks produced by the category — which historically included some other states — in 2020.
Ceará is evaluating potential opportunities to cultivate both conilon and robusta amazônico, a famous variety grown in Rondônia, said Silvio Carlos Ribeiro Vieira Lima, executive secretary of Agribusiness for the state.
"Ceará is located near modern ports with good transportation infrastructure, which makes it well-positioned to become an important coffee exporting area," said Lima.
“And then we expect that by 2026 we will have at least a thousand hectares planted with conilon coffee,” he said, adding that the planted area could reach 5,000 hectares. “This is a good time for coffee and irrigated coffee cultivation, and that’s what we want to bring here.”
