Empowering farmers, building futures—be part of our journey
At Arbayexports, we specialize in sourcing premium green coffee beans directly from award-winning, female-owned farms in Alto Jequitibá, Minas Gerais, Brazil. These farmers produce only micro-lot specialty coffees, grown with care and precision at high altitudes.
We are committed to empowering local producers, ensuring ethical sourcing, and bringing the finest Brazilian coffee straight to your cup — with no middlemen involved.
High Altitude
The mountainous terrain provides ideal conditions for specialty coffee. Higher altitudes lead to slower bean development, which enhances flavor complexity.
Rich Soil & Microclimate
The area benefits from volcanic soils, steady rainfall, and a mild climate—all crucial for producing high-quality Arabica coffee beans.
Specialty Coffee Region
Alto Jequitibá is part of the broader Matas de Minas region, recognized internationally for producing sweet, balanced, and fruity coffees. Many farms are small and family-owned.
Female-Led Farms
The region is notable for its growing number of women coffee producers, many of whom have won national and international awards for quality and sustainability.
Sustainability & Traceability
Most coffee farming in the area is done using traditional, environmentally responsible methods. Farmers are increasingly focused on traceability, organic practices, and direct trade partnerships.
What is Specialty Coffee?
Specialty coffee refers to the highest quality coffee available, from farm to cup. It is coffee that has been carefully grown, harvested, processed, roasted, and brewed to highlight its unique flavors and characteristics.
According to the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), a coffee must score 80 points or higher out of 100 in a professional tasting (cupping) to be classified as “specialty.” Coffees that score 85+ are considered exceptional.
Brazilian Coffee Grade Guide
Brazilian Coffee Grades and Flavor Profile
Specialty Coffee: Vibrant, complex, and clean. Distinctive notes such as fruit, floral, citrus, and chocolate.
85+ (must be ≥80) 0 primary defects, minimal secondary defects High-end single origin, microlots, competitions
Fine Cup (FC): Sweet, clean, balanced. Notes of nuts, chocolate, and mild fruits. 83–85 (approx.) Very few defects, good uniformity, Premium blends, espresso bases
Good Cup (GC): Mild, clean cup with simpler flavor. May have slight earthiness or woodiness. 80–83 Slightly more defects, but acceptable
Commercial blends, mass-market espresso
Rio Minas: Harsh, medicinal, fermented, or “rioy” (iodine-like) flavors. <80 Noticeable defects, inconsistent processing, Instant coffee, low-grade blends
Our business is built on long-term, trust-based relationships with female-owned farms in Alto Jequitiba, Brazil. We work closely with these farmers, supporting them with equipment, connecting them to international clients, and managing the complexities of export. What makes our model unique is that farmers have complete control over the pricing of their crops — ensuring fair, transparent partnerships. This direct and collaborative approach allows us to offer some of the most competitive prices in the market while guaranteeing consistent, high-quality green coffee beans straight from the source.
Our farmers come from generations of coffee growers, rooted in the highlands of Alto Jequitibá.
They are part of a small, tight-knit community that relies entirely on producing specialty micro-lot coffees, including Red and Yellow Catuaí, Catucaí, and Arara varieties. Grown at high altitudes and carefully processed using natural, honey, and fermented methods, their coffees consistently score above 85 points on the SCA scale.
Farming is more than a livelihood — it’s a legacy. Their deep expertise and passion have earned them multiple awards in coffee competitions across Brazil and South America.
Location: Southeast region of Brazil
State: Minas Gerais
Altitude: ~1,000 to 1,300 meters (3280.84ft to 4265.092ft) above sea level
Population: ~8,000 to 10,000 residents
Economy: Agriculture-based, with a strong emphasis on coffee farming
Sustainability
Our sustainability practices extend from farm to cup, ensuring that every step of the process respects the environment and the hard work of the farmers.