Sustainability certifications in Brazilian coffee: a multidimensional comparative analysis

Gabriela Azevedo Rocha; Marcelo Juliano Viviani; Milena Andrade Ferreira; Elise Soerger Zaro; Antonio Rodrigues da Cunha Neto; Rafael de Oliveira Tiezzi

doi:10.5327/Z2176-94782338

Authors

Gabriela Azevedo Rocha Universidade Federal de Alfenas (UNIFAL) - Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1911-7204
Marcelo Juliano Viviani Universidade Federal de Alfenas (UNIFAL) - Brazil https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2266-4844
Milena Andrade Ferreira Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR) - Brazil https://orcid.org/0009-0007-9352-7862
Elise Soerger Zaro Universidade Federal de Grande Dourados (UFGD) - Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3235-719X
Antonio Rodrigues da Cunha Neto Universidade Federal de Alfenas (UNIFAL) - Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7107-2755
Rafael de Oliveira Tiezzi Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR) - Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8682-7807

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5327/Z2176-94782338

Keywords:

sustainable coffee production in Brazil; Fairtrade; Rainforest Alliance; sustainability certifications, 4C certification; sustainable practices

Abstract

The adoption of sustainability certifications in the coffee sector presents significant challenges for producers, who must balance the costs and requirements of these schemes with the expected economic and commercial benefits. This study addresses a gap in the literature by conducting an unprecedented multidimensional comparative analysis of major certifications applied to Brazilian coffee production (namely 4C, Fairtrade, Rainforest Alliance, and Certifica Minas Café) considering the sustainability pillars (social, environmental, agronomic, and management) and market dynamics, aiming at offering a systemic overview to support decision-making by farmers, researchers, and other coffee sector stakeholders. The methodology combines a comprehensive literature review, analysis of commercial data from a leading specialty coffee exporter, and the authors’ practical expertise. The findings reveal varying degrees of complexity in sustainability requirements across certifications, as well as a disconnection between the sustainability efforts demanded of producers and the financial returns they receive, undermining the transformative potential of these systems. As a practical contribution, the study advocates for the integration of complementary valuation mechanisms (such as Payments for Socio-Environmental Services) into certification models to enhance their effectiveness. The proposed categorization also provides an innovative analytical tool to support producers, exporters, and policymakers in making strategic decisions regarding certification, fostering a fairer and more sustainable coffee value chain aligned with global market demands.

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