June is marked by the intensification of the coffee harvest in Brazil. The symbolic date that marks the beginning of the process in the country is May 24th (also celebrated as Brazilian Coffee Day), and it is during the current month that work begins to pick up pace in the country’s main growing regions. For everyone involved in the coffee chain, this is one of the most eagerly awaited moments of the year: it’s time to get to know and recognize the treasures of the current crop of Brazilian coffee.
With Brazil’s vast dimensions, there are also different types of harvest taking place simultaneously in the coffee industry. There are three types of harvest here: manual, semi-mechanized and mechanized. Check out the differences between each method below:
Manual harvesting:
Manual coffee harvesting in Brazil involves workers selecting ripe beans directly from the plants, a preferred method in areas with hilly terrain. There are two main techniques: selective picking, which picks only the ripe beans, and stripping, which picks all the beans from a branch for later separation. This method requires attention and experience to guarantee the quality of the grains.
Challenges include the dependence on intensive labor and the logistics of transporting the beans from remote areas to processing centers, which is complicated and expensive, which can raise production costs and affect the final quality of the coffee.
Manual harvesting has a significant impact on the quality of the final drink. The ability of pickers to select only ripe beans contributes to a more uniform, high-quality end product, since beans at different stages of ripeness can introduce unwanted flavors. Thus, although it is more expensive and labor-intensive, manual harvesting can result in superior coffee, with more complex and consistent flavor profiles, which are valued on both the domestic and foreign markets.
Semi-mechanized harvesting:
Semi-mechanized harvesting, on the other hand, combines manual labor and machines. Workers use portable hoeing machines to shake the branches and make the ripe beans fall onto canvas, which is then collected by hand. This method is useful in moderately hilly terrain where full mechanization is not possible.
Challenges include the need for skilled workers to operate the machines and regular maintenance of the equipment. Technical problems and weather conditions can affect harvesting efficiency, and there is still a need for manual handling of the beans after shaking.
Mechanized harvesting:
Mechanized harvesting uses agricultural machinery specifically for coffee; they are designed to automatically shake the plants and collect the beans. This method is especially effective in large-scale plantations and flat terrain, such as the Cerrado Mineiro. In fact, the region brings up an interesting point in the history of coffee in Brazil: the first large coffee harvesting machine was launched many years ago to meet the needs of this region.
Despite its ease, equipment of this size requires a high initial cost and regular maintenance. In addition, the use of machines can cause damage to plants and soil, and the harvest can include beans at different stages of ripeness, which can affect the uniformity of the final product.
Despite these challenges, mechanized harvesting can increase efficiency and reduce labor costs due to the speed of the process. There is also a need for careful post-processing to separate grains of different maturities, which is essential for maintaining the quality of the final drink.
The link between weather and harvesting
In addition to trained professionals and different harvesting techniques, coffee producers also depend on the weather to ensure the process runs smoothly. Sunny days are welcome at this time of year, as they favor a process without too many adversities, as well as contributing to the post-harvest stages.
Brazil’s crop has the characteristic of lasting between three and four months, depending on the particularities of each producing origin and also the climatic conditions in each production area.
In this current crop, many producers opted to bring forward the start of the harvest because the ripening of the grains responded more quickly to the weather conditions observed during the flowering stage. The market is operating with the expectation of a more positive production from Brazil, which is gradually recovering from the adverse climatic effects of recent years.