Origin Issue Assessment: Brazil Coffee

As part of the JDE Common Grounds program, the Rainforest Alliance conducted research to identify the top risks in the Brazilian coffee sector. This 2020 Brazil Origin Issue Assessment (OIA) identifies the following as top risks in the country’s coffee sector: agrochemical handling, banned pesticides, gender equality, and accommodation for workers.

In Brazil, many coffee workers apply pesticides without wearing enough personal protective equipment, and pesticide poisoning is widespread. Equally concerning is the fact that spraying coffee with hazardous pesticides outlawed in the European Union is legally permitted in the country. Meanwhile, recently published reports revealed female rural workers – given the same jobs– are being paid lower salaries than male workers. During harvest season, coffee workers were reported to live in conditions without proper basic facilities including sanitation and drinking water.