BRAZIL’S COFFEE TRAILBLAZERS
INSIDE THE WORLD OF DATERRA AND FAZENDAS DUTRA
INSIDE THE WORLD OF DATERRA AND FAZENDAS DUTRA
Last July, we had the pleasure of traveling to Brazil to catch up with two of our long-standing specialty partners, Fazendas Dutra and Daterra. These farms may differ in many ways -size, location, and business models, but what unites them is their unwavering dedication and passion for producing exceptional specialty coffee.
MEET THE FARMS
INSIDE THE WORLD OF DATERRA AND FAZENDAS DUTRA
Daterra: Where Sustainability Meets Innovation
The Daterra story is rooted in heritage and innovation. The Pascoal family, originally from Italy, ventured into Brazil in the early 1900s. Their journey began with a green coffee store, eventually leading them to establish a thriving automobile business with over 300 stores nationwide. But for Luis Pascoal, this wasn’t enough. He wanted to give back to nature and decided coffee farming was the way forward.
In 1987, the Pascoal family purchased their first farm in Franca (Mogiana), which originally grew vegetables, fruits, and raised cattle. Over time, they transformed it into a coffee farm. However, as the city expanded, the farm gradually reduced in size from 500 hectares to 150 hectares and is now slated to become a social housing project. Luis Pascoal -a close friend of coffee legend Ernesto Illy, collaborated with him to find the ideal location for coffee production. After careful consideration, they chose to establish the farm in the Cerrado region. Today, Daterra operates two farms in Cerrado: Boa Vista Farm: 1,000 hectares of coffee (formerly owned by a Japanese family that also raised silkworms) and Taboões Farm: 1,800 hectares of coffee.
Today, Daterra spans 6,405 hectares in Cerrado, of which half is preserved for natural vegetation. The two main farms, Boa Vista and Taboões, are a blend of tradition and cutting-edge technology. Known for their meticulous approach to quality, Daterra’s smart processes -like dividing their farms into ‘minifarms’ and their precision harvesting techniques, ensure that every coffee cherry is picked at the perfect moment. They’ve even developed a pulping station capable of sorting beans by eight different ripeness levels. This attention to detail explains why Daterra is one of Brazil’s top specialty coffee producers, crafting 80,000+ bags of some of the finest coffee out there.
Fazendas Dutra: A Legacy of Organic Excellence
Dutra’s origins are more humble but equally inspiring. Founded in 1950 by the Dutra family in the Manhuaçu region, the farm began with just 1 hectare in what was then a very poor area near the Espírito Santo border. Tragically, in 1999, the family patriarch passed away in an accident on the farm. By that time, the farm had already grown to 300 hectares, and his two sons, Walter and Ednilson, who were born and raised on the land, stepped in to take over its management.
Today, Dutra spans 1,000 hectares of coffee farms across 1,600 hectares of land, with ongoing expansion as neighbouring farms are acquired and integrated. The next generation is already stepping up, with 26-year-old Victoria actively involved in the family business.
Since 2015, all Dutra farms have been fully organic and Rainforest Alliance certified. The region’s natural suitability for organic farming and historically low pesticide use made the transition to organic certification a natural progression for the farm.
WHAT SETS THESE FARMS APART ?
While Daterra and Dutra have different backgrounds, they share several key traits that make them stand out:
- Visionary Leadership
Daterra was built with a long-term vision from the start. It took them 10 years of hard work to make their farms productive, all while focusing on sustainability and eco-friendly practices. Similarly, the Dutra brothers recognised the need to modernise and invested in their education to drive the farm forward. Their commitment to quality and knowledge has positioned them as leaders in their respective niches. - Innovative Practices
Daterra’s innovation shines through in everything from their farm management system to their selective coffee cherry sorting methods. By breaking their farms into smaller, individually monitored units, they can precisely control quality. Dutra, while more traditional in its methods, has also embraced innovation, introducing new drying systems and investing in technology that enhances both quality and sustainability. - Sustainability Champions
Both farms are pioneers in sustainable practices. Daterra has been at the forefront of environmentally friendly packaging, shifting to sugarcane-based plastics. Meanwhile, Dutra’s new pulping machine not only saves water but also reduces environmental impact, aligning with their organic principles. - Driven by Passion for Coffee
Despite their differences, both farms are driven by a genuine passion for coffee. This passion, handed down through generations, is what makes their products stand out in a crowded market. Whether it’s Daterra’s dedication to producing award-winning specialty coffee or Dutra’s commitment to organic excellence, their coffees tell a story of perseverance, innovation, and love for the craft.
UPDATE ON THE BRAZILIAN CROP
Low rainfall combined with higher temperatures have led to increasingly dry soil conditions. In the Cerrado, temperatures have been up to 4°C above what is typically expected for the region.
Since November 2023, Minas Gerais State has been experiencing record-breaking or above-average temperatures. The elevated heat accelerates cherry ripening, shortening the harvest window, which in turn drives up costs, creates logistical challenges, and impacts quality. As a result, harvesting has begun earlier than usual in some areas, with many producers reporting smaller bean sizes, which could affect overall yield. In the Cerrado, there were three main flowerings this spring -in September, October, and November. Such spaced-out flowering events can significantly impact quality, leading to uneven ripening and inconsistent harvest lots.
Given the current situation, our partners are stepping up to ensure the crop’s quality.
In the Cerrado region, irrigation has become a major focus. Daterra, for instance, has built extensive irrigation platforms that now allow them to irrigate 70% of the farm. Meanwhile, at Fazendas Dutra in Matas de Minas, irrigation isn’t as much of a concern, thanks to sufficient rainfall that meets the needs of the coffee trees.
Regarding the challenge of uneven maturation, Daterra has developed a selective mechanical harvesting system. This involves analyzing the maturation process across small, individual sections of the farm. Multiple tastings of coffee samples follow to ensure that the beans are not just visually ripe, but also have the right flavour profile. When it’s time to harvest, the machines are carefully adjusted to target only the ripest cherries, leaving as many unripe ones on the branches as possible. Then, cherries are sorted into eight different levels of ripeness, so any underripe ones that slip through are separated.
On the other hand, Fazendas Dutra relies on manual picking, which requires continuous monitoring to determine the optimal harvest time. This year, the harvest is taking longer than usual and demands extra effort and cost.
SECURE YOUR COFFEE SUPPLY
If you’re planning your coffee purchases, now is the time to secure your Brazilian supply.
We currently have pre-shipment samples available, so you can taste, decide and cover your needs ahead of the next crop.
Given the current situation, our partners are stepping up to ensure the crop’s quality.
In the Cerrado region, irrigation has become a major focus. Daterra, for instance, has built extensive irrigation platforms that now allow them to irrigate 70% of the farm. Meanwhile, at Fazendas Dutra in Matas de Minas, irrigation isn’t as much of a concern, thanks to sufficient rainfall that meets the needs of the coffee trees.
Regarding the challenge of uneven maturation, Daterra has developed a selective mechanical harvesting system. This involves analyzing the maturation process across small, individual sections of the farm. Multiple tastings of coffee samples follow to ensure that the beans are not just visually ripe, but also have the right flavour profile. When it’s time to harvest, the machines are carefully adjusted to target only the ripest cherries, leaving as many unripe ones on the branches as possible. Then, cherries are sorted into eight different levels of ripeness, so any underripe ones that slip through are separated.
On the other hand, Fazendas Dutra relies on manual picking, which requires continuous monitoring to determine the optimal harvest time. This year, the harvest is taking longer than usual and demands extra effort and cost.
Here’s What We’re Offering This Year:
Terra Category
Fazenda Vista Alegre Black Diamond
Fazenda Daterra Monte Cristo
Fazenda Daterra Sunrise
Fazendas Dutra – Yellow Catuaí Organic
Prima Category
Fazenda Daterra – Low caf
Fazenda Jaguara – Arara Anaerobic
And more to be selected from Fazendas Dutra and Jaguara.
Stay tuned !
UPCOMING EVENTS
Paris Coffee Show from September 7-9
Let’s CUP & Meet UP!
Do you want to pass by, drop us a line.
Coffee Experience – International Coffee Day
Co Production by EFICO, Cuprima and SEABRIDGE
October 1st, 2024 Antwerp-Zeebrugge
Harvest Updates * Cupping of CUPRIMA’s newest crops in EFICO’s cuppingroom * lunch * Guided tour of SEABRIDGE
Contact us for more details