Coffee plantation worker picking ripe coffee cherries by hand

Rural worker manually picks ripe coffee cherries on a plantation during late afternoon.

About this subject

Manual coffee harvesting is a traditional practice still predominant in many producing regions of Brazil, especially in mountainous or uneven terrain where machines cannot operate. The worker selects only ripe fruits, ensuring higher bean quality. This selective picking technique is common for specialty coffees and requires skill and attention, as each cherry must be harvested at the exact point of ripeness. Brazil is the world's largest coffee producer and exporter, with annual harvests exceeding 50 million bags. Coffee growing employs about 8 million people in the country, from smallholders to large farms. Late afternoon is a strategic time for harvesting, as the sun is milder and the fruits are less exposed to intense heat, preserving their sensory characteristics. The image shows a worker amidst rows of coffee trees with the setting sun in the background, highlighting the relationship between human labor and the natural crop cycle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is manual coffee harvesting important for quality?

Manual harvesting allows selecting only ripe fruits, avoiding unripe or overripe beans, resulting in a more flavorful beverage with higher added value, especially for specialty coffees.

What is Brazil's share in global coffee production?

Brazil is the world's largest coffee producer and exporter, accounting for about one-third of global production, with emphasis on the states of Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo, São Paulo, and Bahia.

What challenges do workers face during coffee harvesting?

Workers face long hours under intense sun, steep terrain, and the need for constant attention to pick only ripe fruits, along with labor issues and low mechanization in mountainous areas.