· Brazil is the largest coffee producer in the world today and produces around 25% of the world's supply of coffee.
· Brazilian production runs around 40 million bags (60kg) per year and is responsible for 17% of all coffees consumed in the world. The impact Brazil has had on the world coffee trade is undeniable. Without Brazilian coffee to stabilize the market, coffee prices could be three to four times what they are. Imagine paying $15-20 for a one-pound can of Folgers.
· In 2006, of the 44 million bags of coffee produced in Brazil, 27 million were exported for trade.
· Brazilian coffee farmers collectively harvest over 4 billion coffee trees, a truly staggering number, and Brazil's coffee trade generates over $3.3 billion in annual revenue.
· The vast majority of coffee farms in Brazil are less than ten hectares in size. According to the Diagnóstico da Cafeicultura em Minas Gerais, 71% of farms are less than 10 hectares, 25% of farms had less than 50 hectares, and only 4% of farms were larger than 50 hectares.
· The climate in Brazil is quite favorable for growing coffee. It is hot and humid with a rich soil that coffee plants love. However, Brazil does not have the high altitude that other coffee producing. The Brazilian beans are grown at a lower altitude than other coffee beans of the world that are grown in places such as Central America, Columbia, and East Africa. These other coffee producing areas grow their coffee at around 5,000 feet in altitude, while Brazilian coffee is grown at around 2000 feet. The growth of Brazil coffee in lower altitudes brings about a low acidity of the coffee bean. As a result, the beans of the Brazil variety are round, sweet.
· What is considered to be the best coffee in Brazil comes from the region around Sao Paulo and is named for the port through which it is exported, Santos. Santos is known for its smooth flavor, medium body and moderate acidity. While Santos is the best coffee in Brazil, it is still far from extraordinary when compared to other gourmet coffees of the world.