Brazil has been at the top of the coffee game for centuries! Economically, Brazil’s vast land and favorable climate conditions make it an ideal place for coffee production. The country has a long history of coffee farming, dating back to the 18th century, and it has invested heavily in infrastructure and technology to streamline production. The labor market also plays a huge role—Brazil’s coffee farms employ millions of workers, many of whom are seasonal.
Environmentally, the large coffee plantations benefit from consistent rainfall and temperatures, but there’s growing concern about deforestation in the Amazon as it’s being cleared for agricultural expansion. As for quality, Brazil produces a ton of coffee, but compared to Colombia, it’s not as well-known for its specialty beans. Colombia’s coffee is often considered smoother, while Brazil’s beans can be more robust. Ethiopia, on the other hand, is considered the birthplace of coffee, and its beans are highly sought after for their unique, complex flavors. But overall, Brazil still leads the global market in export quantities by a huge margin.