Brazil is overtaking Vietnam as the world’s top robusta coffee producer due to climate-driven shifts, rising demand, and new EU rules.

Brazil, the world’s largest coffee producer, is rapidly shifting from arabica to robusta due to climate change, with rising temperatures and droughts damaging arabica crops. Robusta production has surged over 81% in the past decade, growing 22% this year—far outpacing arabica’s slow growth—thanks to its heat tolerance, disease resistance, and lower costs. Farmers are adopting agroforestry to sustain yields. Though robusta has a bolder taste and higher caffeine, younger consumers’ preference for customized drinks and a new EU deforestation law—exempting instant coffee, mostly made from robusta—are boosting demand. With strong sales in Europe and rising prices, Brazil is on track to surpass Vietnam as the top global robusta producer.