Conilon: The Robust Coffee that Conquers Markets in Brazil and Worldwide

The conilon coffee (Coffea canephora) — also known as robusta — is the second most produced type of coffee in the world and the main agricultural product of Espírito Santo, in addition to having a growing presence in Rondônia, Bahia, and the Amazon. More resistant, more productive, and more tolerant to heat than arabica, conilon is the strategic choice for low-altitude regions.

Brazil produces about 15 to 20 million sacks of conilon per year. The global robusta market is growing with the demand for instant coffee, industrial blends, and the Asian market — especially Vietnam, Indonesia, and the growing markets of China and India. In Brazil, high-quality conilon is gaining space in espresso blends and coffee shop mixes.

When conilon is cultivated with irrigation, high-yield clones, and quality management, this segment can contribute significantly to job creation and income generation in Brazil.

Join our strategic actions for the implementation of the best solutions in the Brazilian agricultural sector. Our activities, studies, and advanced research cover 20 chains and the 255 segments of the national agro sector — from the grain chain to sustainable extractivism, including horticulture, fruit growing, livestock farming, and much more.

The series Innovation for Brazil to Produce More was developed specifically to identify and implement the best solutions available in Brazil and worldwide, across the 255 segments of the agro sector — with accessible technical language, updated data, and a focus on practical results for producers, suppliers, governments, and marketers.

1.  Opportunities for Small Rural Producers

How to produce quality conilon and access higher-value markets

Irrigated conilon from Espírito Santo and Rondônia is one of the most successful examples of family irrigated agriculture in Brazil. With productivity of 60 to 120 sacks per hectare (vs. 20 to 30 sacks of arabica), it is the crop with the highest return per hectare in low-altitude regions.

✔    High-yield clones: Vitória Incaper 8142, ES8122, ES8167 — productivity 3 to 4× local varieties

✔    Drip irrigation — essential for the high productivity of conilon from Espírito Santo

✔    Selective harvesting by uniform ripening plot — improves the quality of the lot

✔    Drying on raised terraces — enhances sensory scoring and access to quality market

✔    PRONAF and BANDES/ES credit for establishing irrigated coffee plantations

The E-Book 01 — Strategic Manual for Small Rural Producers presents, in detail, the best solutions for this segment and 254 others in Brazilian agro — focusing on method, cost reduction, and progressive growth from Agro 1.0 to Agro 6.0.   Access now for BRL 99.00 →

2.  Opportunities for Micro and Small Local Suppliers

What opportunities the conilon chain generates for irrigation and processing suppliers

The irrigated conilon agriculture is intensive in irrigation systems and automation — creating a permanent demand for suppliers of drip systems, pumps, sensors, and field automation.

Solutions by area of engineering applied to the segment

Our activities, studies, and advanced research cover six major areas of engineering — and the chain demands solutions in all of them:

Electrical Engineering and Computing — irrigation control systems, fertigation automation, and control panels;

Electronic Engineering and IoT — soil moisture sensors, tensiometers, and remote crop monitoring;

Control and Automation Engineering — irrigation controllers; depulpers and grain sorters;

Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering — adapted harvester threshers for conilon;

Renewable Energy Engineering — solar for irrigation pumps — the largest energy consumer in the crop;

Data Science and Artificial Intelligence — productivity forecasting by clone; optimization of fertigation through foliar analysis.

✔    Installation and maintenance of drip systems for conilon

✔    Solar pumps for irrigation — reducing costs by 60 to 90% vs. conventional energy

✔    Depulpers and washers for conilon processing

✔    Soil moisture sensors for fertigation management

✔    Technical assistance in clones and agronomic management of irrigated conilon

The E-Book 02 — Strategic Guide for the Micro and Small Local Supplier maps, segment by segment, the business opportunities — focusing on IoT, energy, automation, and specialized technical services.  Access now for BRL 99.00 →

3.  Opportunities for Municipal Governments

How the municipality can support conilon coffee and the identity of Espírito Santo coffee

Conilon is the main source of rural income for hundreds of municipalities in Espírito Santo and Rondônia. The manager who supports the technification and quality of local conilon invests in the primary source of income for regional family farming.

✔    Distribution of certified high-yield clones — municipal technification program

✔    Construction of collective raised terraces — improves quality and access to the premium market

✔    Partnership with INCAPER and EMBRAPA for technical assistance in irrigated conilon

✔    Capixaba Conilon Festival — valuing regional identity and connecting with buyers

✔    Municipal IDM: productivity per hectare of conilon as an indicator of technological adoption

The E-Book 03 — Reference Guide for Municipal Governments presents the step-by-step for secretaries and municipal managers to implement effective public policies for the 255 segments of the agro.  Access now for BRL 99.00 →

4.  Opportunities for Small Agricultural Product Merchants

How conilon generates opportunities for roasters, blenders, and local coffee shops

Quality conilon is the secret ingredient of the best espressos in the world — the thick crema and intense body of Italian espresso come precisely from robusta. The local roaster who masters the arabica × conilon blend can create a product with its own identity, competitive cost, and distinctive flavor.

The instant coffee market — where conilon dominates — is growing with the increase in domestic consumption of convenience coffee. Certified-origin conilon has rising demand from premium instant coffee companies that want traceability and origin identity in the final product.

Products with high commercial potential

The main products derived from this segment for local retail and foodservice:

Roasted and ground conilon for espresso— ingredient for the best espresso; blended with arabica;

Premium soluble conilon— high-quality instant coffee market;

Green conilon for export— raw material for the global soluble industry;

Blend conilon + arabica— product with unique identity; coffee shops and domestic consumers;

Capixaba coffee with IG— designation of origin; premium market with regional identity;

Certified organic conilon— growing premium niche; export to European markets.

Merchant profiles and their specific opportunities

✔    Roasters: capixaba conilon + arabica blend for espresso — unique product with regional identity

✔    Coffee shops: intense espresso with quality conilon — body and crema differential

✔    Distributors: green conilon for roasting and soluble industry

✔    Exporters: certified green conilon for Europe and Asia

✔    Delis: roasted conilon with regional IG — growing premium product

✔    Digital platforms: conilon of identified origin for artisanal blenders

Growth strategies for the local merchant

The roaster who masters the perfect blend of arabica + capixaba conilon creates a product with an identity that is impossible to replicate industrially. The key is the direct relationship with the family irrigated producer — which ensures quality consistency from harvest to harvest and a genuine origin narrative to communicate to the consumer.

The BANDES (Espírito Santo) has specific lines for conilon coffee growers. The BNDES finances irrigation and processing systems. The Pronampe covers working capital for roasters and distributors.

The E-Book 04 — Strategic Guide for the Small Agricultural Product Merchant maps 30 merchant profiles and details growth opportunities across all 255 segments of agro.  Access now for BRL 99.00 →

Innovation and Technology Network

By acquiring any e-book from the series, you become a member of our Innovation and Technology Network. Groups with 30 members will be able to organize and fund in-person strategic planning events to identify and implement the best solutions available in Brazil and around the world.

✔    Small Rural Producers

✔    Micro and Small Supplier Companies

✔    Municipal Governments

✔    Small Agricultural Product Merchants

⭐  Special offer: I will provide 100% discount on the value of my working hours for the 10 pioneer events organized by 11/30/26 and held in December 2026. Therefore, the 10 pioneer groups will only cover the general expenses.

Best regards,

Ivo Alves

CEO · Master in Electrical Engineering and Computing · Specialist in Innovation and Technology Project Management

Professor: IFPB and UFRN  ·  38 years of experience in Engineering