How much can the pandemic affect Brazilian coffee consumption?

That the year 2020 is different, we can not deny that. Habits have changed, a lot of people have adapted to work at home and we're missing that way to the cafeteria to have a good coffee. Some places in Brazil and the world have already reopened and here you check what the entrepreneurs said in this new stage.
The Consultant of coffees and Partner of Capricornio Coffees, Edgard Bressani, told CaféPoint that friends with coffee shops in Belgium, Greece, France and Italy have already reopened and are returning to normal, some regions with limitations, others not.
"Friends from Belgium report that they are in full swing and that customers are showing up gradually. The concern is with a possible new wave of Covid-19 with the end of the European summer, but they are usually following with their houses open", he reported.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture released an intriguing finding that with the closure of coffee shops and restaurants, global coffee consumption is expected to suffer its first fall since 2011.
In May, José Sette, Executive Director of the International Coffee Organization (ICO), said that consumption outside the home had a big fall, but that it can be offset by consumption within the home.
Edgard is optimistic about this. He believes that the decrease in coffee consumption is a phase: "in some cities coffee shops have reopened, others have not, but people like to go out, socialize and have a coffee in a different place than just at home. With the releases, I believe we'll get back to our rhythm. From the moment people consumed and met about the special coffee, they will not change that, which they appreciate will take for a lifetime and I believe they will return to their places of preference."
The ICO conducted a survey in June 2020 related to the impact of Covid-19 (coronavirus) on the sector and points out that, due to measures of social distancing, there was a change in the location of consumption. For example, those who used to go to restaurants and coffee shops chose to guarantee coffee in some e-commerce, which underscores the importance of online sales.
A survey conducted by Espresso in May 2020 shows that before the pandemic, only 16% of coffee shops, for example, worked with online sales and that most understand that consumer feedback will be slow, gradual and even painful, but that there is an opportunity to talk about the product and look for new ways to reach the customer.
The ICO points out the importance of closely monitoring the possible problems that the pandemic will cause in the sector and that the impact on coffee production at the time of the survey remains somewhat ambiguous, with almost two-thirds of the producing countries that responded unaffected, which may become more visible in the second half of the year, when more countries will enter the harvest season.
Nathan Herszkowicz, Executive President of the Coffee Industry Union of the State of São Paulo (SINDICAFÉ-SP), says that the entire consumption scenario is worrying due to the restrictions that are necessary to face the pandemic. "The closure of coffee shops, restaurants, bars, and the fear of the population with contagion, have in fact reduced consumption here and around the world. Large coffee chain sits down hundreds of stores and the resumption is being slow. Consumption outside the home represented about 35% and was lower. There was compensation with the increase in consumption in the home due to the countless home offices. We are in a phase of searching for the new balance, but this year consumption will be lower, of course. Industries are aware that they must maintain the best possible quality in order to continue encouraging consumers," he explained.
Bruna Caselato, COO of Suplicy Cafés Especiais, points out that one of the company's actions during the pandemic was to renegotiate deadlines with producers and that Suplicy is already opening its stores according to demand, space operation and reduced schedules. "We are living one day at a time, in stages and needs of each location. Sales didn't reach 10% of what they were. The flow is still small of consumers", he commented. She believes that in the coming weeks will have a better overview of the opening of the house.
Nathan explains that the return of coffee shops is not being easy. "The 100 days without operation exhausted the working capital of the majority which makes it very difficult to purchase products, coffee and materials from the operation of the establishment. As a result: many coffee shops, especially smaller ones, will not have a box to boost their resumption. As reported in many newspapers, the credit lines that the government created are not working because the money ended up not reaching the counter of the stores", he reinforced.
For coffee consultant Eliana Relvas, society's behavior changes a lot as people stay at home longer. "The downward trend in consumption occurs naturally. The amount of coffee taken, sometimes in the office, was up to five cups a day, which is much higher than consumption at home. Even more with the scarce time, because currently it is necessary to reconcile household chores, work, children and so many opt for the practicality of capsules or soluble", he explained.
Another survey conducted on National Coffee Day, in the second month of quarantine, showed that 41% of the people surveyed consumed 2 to 3 cups per day, while 30.9% from 4 to 5 and 24.1% more than 5. Eliana believes, for the present moment, in a recovery of the cafeterias "to go", in which the consumer buys their coffee in a disposable cup and goes taking on the street, without having a 'contact' with someone. "People should choose more practical and faster things. Let's hope to get back to consumption in coffee shops as soon as possible," he said.
Finally, Nathan leaves a message: "we have to join forces and believe that this will pass and we will come out alive and strong from this unexpected crisis."