U.S. tariff slashes Brazil coffee exports; Germany set to take the lead in August

Brazilian coffee exports to the United States are expected to suffer a significant drop in August, estimated at 55% compared with the same period in 2024, according to preliminary data from the Brazilian Coffee Exporters Council (Cecafe). The projected volume is 251.9 thousand 60-kg bags, less than half of the 562.7 thousand bags shipped last year.

See below a historical record of Brazilian green coffee exports to the United States starting from January 2022. The chart was prepared with DataLiner data:

Brazilian Green Coffee Exports to the United States | Jan 2022 – July 2025 | TEU

Source: DataLiner (Click here to request a demo)

Germany may become the top importer of the month

With shipments to the U.S. declining, expectations are that Germany will become the largest buyer of Brazilian coffee in August, surpassing the United States. The European country typically imports an average of about 379.5 thousand bags per month. Despite this temporary shift, the U.S. is expected to remain the leading importer of Brazilian coffee throughout the year.

Import history: U.S. and Germany

Since 1997, when the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa) began tracking exports, the United States and Germany have alternated as the leading destinations for Brazilian coffee. However, since 2017, the U.S. has consistently held the annual lead.

Reasons for the drop in exports

Cecafe highlights three main factors behind the decline in sales to the U.S.:

High tariff: The imposition of a 50% duty on Brazilian products directly affected coffee’s competitiveness in the U.S. market.

Logistical issues, including delays and changes in vessel schedules, combined with port infrastructure constraints, resulted in losses of R$1.1 billion to the sector in July alone.

Reduced supply: record export volumes in 2024 lowered coffee availability in 2025, pressuring shipments.

Impacts and next steps

Taken together, these factors should lead exporters to adjust their commercial and logistical strategies in the coming months, seeking alternatives to maintain sales flow and mitigate losses in the international market.

Source: Portal do Agronegócio

Sharing is caring!