Coffee harvest reaches 85% in Capal's operating area

The 2024/2025 coffee harvest is in its final weeks in the Capal Agroindustrial Cooperative's area of operation. To date, the harvest has reached 85% of the cooperative's area of service in Paraná and São Paulo, which comprises approximately 11,4 hectares. Despite this being a year with negative biennial yields, average productivity prospects are within expectations for the period. The latest report from the Department of Rural Economy (Deral), released on July 24, estimates that the Paraná coffee harvest will reach 718 bags (43,1 tons).

Coffee crops showed high production potential, even though weather conditions during the cycle affected coffee production, according to agricultural engineer Alan Jean de Oliveira, from Capal's Technical Assistance Department (DAT).

In the first quarter, above-average temperatures caused stress and physiological imbalances in the plants, but despite the unstable weather, "most of the fruits were already well formed, with no significant impact on the coffee tree's bean filling," says Alan. "The harvest began with excellent bean quality, with the first harvested lots showing good grain size and a good high-sieve percentage," he adds. 

Another critical moment in the coffee harvest was the excessive rainfall in the region during May and June. According to the agronomist, the rainy weather disrupted the harvest process and partially compromised the quality of the coffee. "The rains at the peak of the harvest caused the fruits to break their husks and become exposed to moisture and fungi in the field, facilitating unwanted fermentation and knocking more beans to the ground, increasing the volume of coffee swept away," he explains. 

Alan also emphasizes that crop management during the harvest was crucial to positive productivity. "We needed to redouble our attention to pest control, especially the leaf miner, requiring periodic monitoring and management adjustments due to the insect's high population," he adds. 

Satisfied coffee growers

Despite a cycle marked by climate fluctuations, Capal's cooperative coffee growers are closing the 2025 harvest with a positive balance. An example of family succession in the field, cooperative member Danilo is a third-generation member of the Bagatim family, managing coffee plantations in Carlópolis, Paraná, with 50 years of dedication to coffee farming. 

The producer highlights assertive management as the main regulator of grain quality. "I believe quality has been improving thanks to the way I've been working in recent harvests, with guidance from Capal's technical support team and the staff at the ABC Foundation. I conducted some sieve tests on the property and was satisfied with the size and quality of the grains. Using the right products and proper management results in superior quality at harvest time," says Danilo.

Coffee farming couple Rogério and Layane Aguera are also pleased with this year's harvest. They achieved higher-than-expected productivity in their first harvest, growing a new area of their two-and-a-half-year-old property.

"The forecast was 48 bags per hectare. Even with the predominant rainfall, we managed the situation well, following the guidance of technical support, and in the end, we totaled 64 bags per hectare, 16 more than expected. Capal has been providing us with all the assistance and support. We're very pleased with our production," celebrates Rogério.