The Agrarian Cooperative of Coffee Growers of São Gabriel (Cooabriel) has initiated its first-ever export of Conilon coffee to India, marking a significant milestone in diversifying its international market reach. Since July, the cooperative has already shipped 21 containers to India, with further shipments planned for this year.
Expanding Market Opportunities
India, traditionally a tea-consuming country, is witnessing a shift in consumer habits, favoring coffee. Cooabriel highlighted that this market expansion offers exciting prospects, especially as coffee consumption grows in India due to changing socio-economic and cultural trends.
Renata Vaz, Cooabriel’s export and sustainability manager, noted that this shift isn’t limited to India. Countries like Japan and China are also increasing their purchases of Brazilian coffee. This trend aligns with favorable global market dynamics, as recent crop failures in Vietnam for the 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons have opened new opportunities for Brazilian Conilon coffee.
Record Growth and Strategic Impact
From January to September, Espírito Santo state exported 5.9 million 60-kg bags of Conilon coffee, generating $1.1 billion in revenue, according to the Brazilian Coffee Exporters Council (Cecafé). “The ability of Brazilian coffee to penetrate previously underexplored markets reflects a significant achievement,” Vaz emphasized.
Luiz Carlos Bastianello, president of Cooabriel, underlined that the combination of improved quality and sustainable production processes makes Brazilian Conilon increasingly attractive in global markets. He sees this as a favorable moment for the coffee variety’s international expansion.
Prominent Brazilian brands, such as Melitta and 3Corações, are also leveraging Conilon to produce 100% specialty or gourmet blends, signaling growing domestic and international demand.
Logistics Challenges
While the current export wave is promising, logistical issues in Brazilian ports pose challenges. “To maintain these new markets, efficient logistics are essential,” Vaz explained. She stressed the importance of consistent delivery schedules for sustaining market competitiveness.
Despite shipping difficulties, Brazilian coffee exports continue to hit new records. By September, the country exported over 7 million bags of Conilon coffee, representing a 170.4% increase compared to 2023, as reported by Cecafé.
This successful entry into the Indian market reflects Cooabriel’s commitment to exploring new opportunities amidst evolving global trade dynamics.
