Inside Brazil’s Coffee Future: Visiting IAC

This article at a glance

• IAC’s century-long research has shaped most of Brazil’s Arabica genetics.
• The legacy of people working towards scientific advancement and inclusion in Brazil coffee is key.
• IAC is offering farmers and roasters new tools for sustainability and market differentiation.

Located in Campinas, São Paulo, IAC operates like a living museum of Brazilian coffee history. Its "Dr. Alcides Carvalho" Coffee Center is recognized as one of Brazil’s most innovative coffee research hubs, where Arabica and Robusta varieties are studied for resistance, productivity and quality.

“We spent time with one of the lead researchers and explored the grounds in depth,” Mariana said. “They walked us through the nursery plots, genetic labs and even this charming museum with vintage research tools. It was like stepping through time. And yes, I got to hug one of the massive coffee trees growing right there”.

Much of Brazil’s widely planted Arabica coffee today can be traced back to the long-term work done at IAC, with some varieties taking over 40 years to develop.

A Legacy of Research and Inclusion

One of the most powerful moments came when Mariana learned about Dona Ivone, who made key contributions to the development of the Mundo Novo and Catuai varieties. Working for 65 years in IAC’s cherry selection lab, Dona Ivone has helped shape Brazil’s coffee future and as a Black woman has made great contributions to greater racial equity.

Her legacy lives on through the Dona Ivone Scholarship, a program that supports Black university students and professionals in the coffee industry. “Seeing the space where she worked and hearing how her legacy continues was powerful,” Mariana shared. “It reminded me how research is not only about the science but also about people and history.”

Exploring New Opportunities

Sergio not only guided Mariana through, but he also explained how IAC’s work is deeply rooted in science with direct application across the value chain. Since its founding, all of IAC’s research efforts have aimed to strengthen the coffee agribusiness system by providing practical, science-based solutions for the various segments of the value chain.

Farmers benefit from varieties that are more productive and resilient, while roasters and traders can access sensory-differentiated coffees. One area of innovation Sergio highlighted during their visit is IAC’s work with naturally decaffeinated plants. “We are developing coffee lines with low or zero caffeine content, including naturally decaffeinated plants. An innovation for those who seek milder options without compromising flavor or quality,” Sergio added.

Why It Matters for the Future

IAC’s research underpins the sustainability, productivity and climate resilience of Brazil’s coffee sector. Sergio pointed out during the visit that developing new varieties can take decades and requires anticipation of future environmental and economic challenges.

By conserving genetic diversity, improving input efficiency and offering solutions for extreme climate events, IAC is equipping Brazil to remain competitive globally while meeting environmental and social expectations.

If there’s one takeaway from Mariana’s visit, it’s this: “Science builds the future of coffee. We’re now seeing the results of research conducted decades ago. And if we want coffee to thrive, we need to keep investing in research.”

If you’d like to learn about Sucafina’s sustainability efforts in Brazil check out this article.