Coffee certification features in Brazil

Abstract

The market of certified agricultural products increases everyday. Developed countries demand information on the production system and the origin of the product concerning socioenvironmental sustainability and quality attributes. The consumer seeks to know how his/ her food has been produced. Certified products are more and more present at shops and supermarkets worldwide. In the coffee sector this also happens, and the Brazilian coffee is perhaps the most national developed agriculture sector regarding certification. Distinct coffee certification standards are present at the Brazilian coffee production, and the following are the main ones: Organic, Fair Trade (FT), Utz Certified (UC), and Rain Forest Alliance (RA). However, each of these standards considers distinct aspects of coffee production and its respective products are in the market carried with different characteristics. The characterization of each certification standard as well as its exhibition to the producers and consumers is important so that they make their decision in a clear and conscious way. Coffee certification in Brazil has contributed to considerable social and environmental improvements in the production sector. Coffee certification in Brazil is still improving and its benefits are reaching society.