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Coffee Price Soars And, Along With It, Fake Products Invade The Shelves. Made With Banned Peels And Residues, These Options Deceive The Consumer. Learn How To Identify And Avoid Fraud, Protecting Your Health And Your Wallet.
The aroma of fresh coffee in the morning is part of the routine for millions of Brazilians, but in recent months, what is found on supermarket shelves is not always what it seems.
With roasted and ground coffee prices reaching record levels, products that mimic the flavor of the beverage have started to gain traction, raising concerns about quality and food safety.
According to the National Consumer Price Index (IPCA), the price of coffee rose more than 40% in 2024, reaching an average of R$ 48.90 per kilogram.
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Amid this rise, items labeled as “coffee flavor”, which do not contain the bean in their formulation, have begun to be marketed as more affordable alternatives.
However, industry experts warn that these products are made up of elements such as peels, mucilage, wood, stone, and straw, substances banned for human consumption.
Quality Threatened
According to Celírio Inácio da Silva, president of the Brazilian Coffee Industry Association (Abic), this type of product “uses subterfuge to deceive the consumer, who is also looking for solutions to continue purchasing the beverage despite rising prices.”
In Brazil, sanitary legislation prohibits the sale of coffee mixed with residues, and industry entities have maintained joint efforts for four decades to ensure the supply of a quality product.
“The recommendation is that consumers buy only coffees that have the Abic purity and quality seal,” emphasizes Silva.
To avoid purchasing adulterated products, experts recommend checking the origin of the coffee, being wary of excessively low prices and researching the reputation of brands.
“Coffee has attributes that are good for health, and this can only be assured through certification,” emphasizes the president of Abic.
Consumption Remains Strong
Despite the price increases, coffee consumption in Brazil remains high. According to data from Abic, between January and October 2024, the volume of sales increased 0.78%, confirming the strength of the domestic market.
“Coffee is present in 98% of Brazilian households and is the second most consumed beverage in the world, falling only behind water. It cannot be treated with such disregard,” states Silva.
Concerns about production, however, continue.
In the last four years, extreme weather factors have directly impacted the harvest of the bean. Frosts, water restrictions, and high temperatures have compromised supply, a problem exacerbated by the climatic events of 2023 and 2024.
According to a survey by the National Supply Company (Conab), the 2024 harvest was 54.2 million sacks of 60 kilograms, representing a decrease of 1.6% compared to 2023.
This reduction contributed to the price increase and drove the search for substitutes, including “fake” products.
Coffee Sector Seeks Solutions
Amid the challenges, producers and industries in the coffee sector are trying to find ways to mitigate the impacts of high costs.
In a report, the Globo Rural website highlights that, in addition to the need for more favorable weather conditions, coffee production also depends on government incentives and technological innovations that make the production chain more efficient.
Meanwhile, consumers are advised to stay alert and demand more transparency from brands.
The coffee market, essential for the Brazilian economy, faces a critical moment, but oversight and awareness can prevent inadequate products from becoming common options in the daily lives of Brazilians.
Another strategy to ensure quality and combat fraud is the strengthening of certification.
According to Abic, consumers should always look for quality seals when choosing their products, as they ensure that the coffee meets the required standards.
Additionally, the entity advocates for increased inspections in supermarkets and wholesalers, preventing unsuitable products from being distributed on a large scale.
Market Impact
The substitution of traditional coffee with lower-quality products can affect the entire production chain, from farmers to industries and consumers.
Experts point out that if the trend of rising prices continues, the presence of adulterated coffees may grow even more, harming producers who invest in quality and food safety.
The search for solutions includes studies on adapting crops to climate change and using new technologies to increase productivity without compromising quality.
Some experts also advocate for public policies targeting the coffee sector, ensuring that small and medium producers can maintain their competitiveness in the market.
What To Expect In The Coming Months
The expectation for 2025 is that coffee prices will remain high, but with the possibility of stabilization if weather conditions are favorable.
The harvest in the first half of the year will be crucial to define the supply and the impacts on prices in the domestic market.
The Brazilian coffee sector remains vigilant to market movements and seeks to ensure that original and quality coffee continues to be the main choice of consumers.
In the meantime, the alert continues: it is essential to be extra careful about what is being purchased to ensure that the daily cup of coffee is not a risk to health and finances.
Não está havendo, por parte dos fabricantes desta mistura, enganação. Sabe-se que não é café. É o caminho…Não é possível tomar café, a ‘preço de ouro’…para tudo há um limite.A carne, em mais alguns anos, será cultivada, indo pelo mesmo caminho. O caro, será o original.
Pessoal, uma dica ! Prefira sempre grãos moído na hora evaporação alcance dos olhos. Porquê o que está moído não se sabe o que é.
Como evitar que os consumidores troque o café por café fake se até o nosso presente mandou que trocasse por produtos mais baratos. ” Os produtos que estiverem caro.