The Brazilian Coffee Economy

This book offers the first comprehensive analysis of the transformation of the Brazilian coffee economy since 1960, one of the most significant yet understudied developments in modern economic history. Moving beyond classic accounts of nineteenth- and early twentieth-century plantation expansion, it traces how Brazil responded to crises through state intervention, technological innovation and institutional reform. Drawing on economic history, development economics and agricultural studies, the authors examine how mechanization, scientific research, crop diversification and shifting regional production patterns reshaped the sector and enabled Brazil to maintain its position as the world’s leading coffee producer. Situating Brazilian coffee within global commodity chains and changing patterns of consumption, the book explores the transition from a state-controlled system to a competitive, market-oriented agribusiness embedded in global trade networks. It also highlights the emergence of new production frontiers and value-added industries, including roasting and soluble coffee. By combining regional analysis with a broader political economy perspective, this study provides a vital contribution to debates on agricultural modernization, export-led development and globalization in Latin America. It will be valuable reading for scholars in economic history, Latin American studies, agricultural economics and global development.