BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil – The capital of Minas Gerais will once again be the stage for the largest and most important event in the coffee sector in Brazil and one of the main in the world, the International Coffee Week (SIC), which holds its 11th edition between November 8 and 10 of this year, bringing together producers from all over the country and purchasers from different parts of the world, reinforcing that Brazil is indeed the country of coffee.
The International Coffee Week at Belo Horizonte
Since its launch in 2013, SIC has generated great opportunities for the entire Brazilian coffee chain, looking at both the national and international markets.
This year, more than 20,000 people from up to 40 countries are expected, making room for connections and commercial transactions for the entire sector.
SIC focuses on B2B transactions, including from coffee producers, through representatives of companies that work at all stages of the production chain of selection, processing and packaging of the bean – reaching large and small entrepreneurs in the sector, such as people who are preparing to open a coffee shop. In addition, the event has the participation of agronomists, roasting masters, bartenders, and representatives of complementary sectors, such as plant milks.
“We are very proud to say that International Coffee Week is a space where, for 11 years, stories have been told, connections generated and a huge number of businesses are carried out annually, fostering the Brazilian coffee sector as never before in history,” says Caio Alonso Fontes, director of Espresso&CO, one of the sponsors of the event.
The theme of this year’s meeting is “Producing origins: a vision of the future for a new coffee chain”, referring to the new world scenario, which considers practices, as well as sustainable production and consumption in all sectors.
Antônio de Salvo, president of the Faemg Senar System, one of the organizations sponsoring the event, emphasizes the importance of the event: “Minas Gerais is the largest coffee-producing state in Brazil. Part of our mission is to promote improvements on farms so that the sector continues to advance. Thus, we bring knowledge to coffee farmers and all rural producers in Minas Gerais, through courses and technical and managerial assistance, as well as technical, legal and environmental advice. Alongside this, SIC helps to connect agriculture producers with major players in the coffee chain and to show the value of our coffees and the important work of agriculture producers in Minas Gerais.”
Another organization holding the event is Sebrae Minas Gerais, which for over ten years has developed various initiatives to structure “controlled origins”, the theme of this edition of SIC.
“Currently, nine coffee-producing regions are supported by Sebrae Minas Gerais in drawing up strategies aimed at strengthening the identity and origin of the territories, valuing the work of farmers, encouraging the continuous improvement of coffee quality, expanding business opportunities and stimulating the development of an increasingly sustainable and conscious coffee-growing industry,” explains Marcelo de Souza e Silva, chairman of the Deliberation Council of Sebrae-MG.
In view of the fact that Brazil is the world’s largest producer of the bean and the second largest consumer, second only to the United States, SIC’s program includes lectures, workshops, tastings, courses and competitions – aiming at further boosting the sector and promoting the development of national coffee growing by connecting professionals in the field with the main innovation in the market.
For the Minas Gerais State Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply, another important entity sponsoring the event, SIC is a fundamental event in the promotion of Brazilian coffees, as it integrates all the links in the coffee agribusiness in the same environment. “Coffee is the flagship of Minas Gerais’ agricultural exports. Last year alone, our grain was exported to 89 countries, reaching a value of US$ 6.9 billion, by the shipments of approximately 28.5 million bags. The trade show is an opportunity for the state to show the world the diversity and quality of its coffees, to further promote Minas Gerais’ coffees in other markets,” concludes Thales Fernandes, the entity’s secretary.
For three-day event, participants will be able to take part in more than 20 content events and awards, such as the Coffee of the Year Brasil 2023 competition, in which the best Brazilian coffees from the new harvest will be revealed; the Meeting of Coffee Cooperatives in Minas Gerais – OCEMG and the Brazilian Bartender Championship, whose winner will represent Brazil in the world championship in 2024.
SIC has the institutional support of OCEMG, diamond sponsor 3 Corações, silver sponsors Sicoob and Melitta, and bronze sponsors Cocatrel Nescafé and Nucoffee.
The event is free for rural producers and companies in the area, as well as international visitors. Individuals also have access by purchasing a ticket (BRL 60.00 for the three days).
The full program and confirmed guests can be found on the official website here and on the event’s social media.
by Federico Adacher
