Brazil’s Specialty Coffee Sector Feels the Heat of U.S. Tariffs, but Exotic Jacu Bird Brew Defies the Downturn

Brazil’s coffee industry is facing one of its most challenging moments in years, as punitive U.S. tariffs weigh heavily on specialty exports. Yet, amid the disruption, one of the country’s most unusual brews—the Jacu Bird coffee—is managing to thrive, largely untouched by the turmoil.

In early August, U.S. President Donald Trump imposed a 50% tariff on Brazilian goods following escalating tensions with Brazil’s leftist leader, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The move struck a major blow to Brazil’s premium coffee sector, which has long relied on American consumers as its most loyal clientele. Exports to the U.S. have plummeted, but one highly unconventional variety is proving remarkably resilient.

Jacu Bird coffee, a rare Arabica that passes through the digestive tract of the Jacu bird native to Brazil’s Atlantic Forest, continues to attract strong demand—particularly from Japan, the U.K., and a growing base of Brazilian buyers. In contrast, the American market has shown little appetite for this niche product.

“Americans don’t have the same vision as the Japanese, Asians, Saudis, or Europeans when it comes to seeking this type of quality,” said Henrique Sloper, producer of Jacu Bird coffee at Fazenda Camocim. “So, for us, these tariffs don’t really impact this particular product.”

The inspiration for Jacu Bird coffee came after farmers observed the birds feeding on ripe coffee cherries, recalling Indonesia’s renowned Kopi Luwak, produced with the help of civets. Today, the rare beans command extraordinary prices—reaching up to £960 (around $1,300) per kilo—making it one of the world’s most exclusive coffees.

However, while this exotic variety has escaped the fallout, Brazil’s wider specialty coffee industry has not been as fortunate. According to the Brazilian Specialty Coffee Association, exports of specialty beans to the U.S. dropped by nearly 70% in August compared to July. Though figures for September are still pending, the situation remains dire.

“The sharpest decline in U.S. imports has been in specialty coffees,” said Marcio Ferreira, president of Brazil’s coffee exporters group, Cecafé. “The tariffs have hit premium beans the hardest, as their elevated cost makes them particularly vulnerable.”

For Fazenda Camocim, Jacu Bird coffee represents only a fraction of production, meaning the tariffs still pose significant challenges for its other premium lines. “America is the largest coffee market on the planet, and we’re effectively shut out,” Sloper noted. “In the short term, it’s very damaging. But in the medium and long term, this may push us to diversify and open up new markets.”

As Brazil’s coffee producers grapple with shifting global dynamics, the resilience of Jacu Bird coffee offers a curious reminder: sometimes the most unconventional products can find strength in unexpected places.