The Chinese coffee chain Luckin Coffee, a leader in the Asian market, has committed to purchasing up to $500 million worth of Brazilian coffee as part of a partnership to promote the country’s coffee in China.
Strengthening Brazil-China Coffee Relations
In June 2024, during a visit by Brazil’s Vice President Geraldo Alckmin to China, the ApexBrasil (Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency) and Luckin Coffee signed a protocol to enhance Brazilian coffee’s visibility in the Chinese market. The agreement emphasizes the high quality and environmental sustainability of Brazilian coffee.
Luckin Coffee: A Global Vision
Founded in 2017, Luckin Coffee operates 20,000 stores, employs 110,000 people, and serves 69 million customers in China. The company’s global ambitions include creating a world-renowned coffee brand, supported by sourcing the best beans from leading producers like Brazil, Ethiopia, and Panama.
According to Luckin’s Sustainability Chief, Yan Yan Sabrina Zhao, Brazil stands out as the largest arabica producer globally. She also highlighted the company’s ongoing efforts to incorporate specialty and robusta varieties to meet growing consumer demand.
Expanding the Robusta Market
The partnership extends beyond arabica to include robusta coffee, an increasingly popular variety due to its use in instant coffee and blends.
- Production Leadership: Brazil aims to surpass Vietnam as the largest robusta producer.
- Efficiency: Robusta offers higher productivity, yielding 100 sacks per hectare, compared to arabica’s 50 sacks per hectare.
- Regions of Production:
- Espírito Santo and Southern Bahia dominate conilon (robusta) production.
- Rondônia leads in Amazonian robusta, producing 4 million sacks in 2023 with an average yield of 60 sacks per hectare.
Sustainability and Global Perception
The robusta variety aligns with sustainability goals, requiring less land for cultivation while maintaining high yields. According to Márcio Cândido Ferreira, President of Cecafé, global brands now openly include robusta in their blends, reflecting its improved quality and reputation.
ApexBrasil’s Vision
The President of ApexBrasil, Jorge Viana, sees this collaboration as a way to boost Brazilian coffee’s global recognition. He believes the partnership with Luckin Coffee will not only expand exports but also elevate the “Brazilian brand” worldwide.
