Timeline
1969 is not only a remarkable year for the whole world when the first human being landed on the Moon, but also the “birth” of Ipanema Coffees.
The three business partners Carlos Moacyr Gomes de Almeida, Cyrillo Fernandes and Julio Bozano buy the first piece of land and found the "Condomínio Aliança". Thereby, they lay the foundation of one of largest coffee companies worldwide.
In 1970, one year after the establishment, the name is changed into Ipanema Agroindústria Ltda. In the same year, Ipanema Coffees acquires its first farm and begins with the plantation of coffee on the 2,200 hectares Capoeirinha farm. Until today, Capoeirinha is one of three farms in the company’s property.
The first years are marked by several implementations. In 1976, Conquista farm outside the city of Alfenas, in the heart of Minas Gerais, is bought. The beginning of the first plantation at Conquista farm starts two years later, in 1978. At the same time, the first considerations of investments in infrastructure and dry milling start and Corporate visual is created. Today, Conquista farm features one of the world’s most modern processing infrastructures and is home of the company’s main office.
The purchase of a handful small farms in the State of Minas Gerais, which are sold years later, contribute to the rapid growth of Ipanema Coffees. By the end of the 1970s the production area increases up to 7,000 hectares dedicated to coffee and citrus production.
The 1980s are marked by the commercialization phase of Ipanema Coffees. Due to investments in a wet milling infrastructure, coffee can be pulped for the first time. Besides coffee, the cultivation and trade with oranges and citrus fruits are a second pillar of the company.
In order to welcome business partners, the construction of the Guest House begins in 1984. The inauguration of the house situated on the Furnas lake at Conquista farm takes place two years later.
In 1985, a drought is a challenge for coffee producers in São Paulo and Minas Gerais, the main coffee belt in Brazil. The lack of rainfalls and water shortage also affect Ipanema Coffees.
From the 1950s until the late 1980s coffee trading in Brazil is strictly controlled and regulated by the Brazilian Coffee Institute (ICO). Only a few exporters and producers have permission to export. The end of the economic clauses of the ICO and the termination of export quotes offer new possibilities and open doors for International trade.
The year 1991 marks an eventful milestone in the history of Ipanema Coffees. The company ventures to expand its activity beyond the borders of Brazil and debuts in the International Market exporting its first 3,000 bags to its client Shareholder Tchibo in Hamburg, Germany, who becomes shareholder in 2012.
As a pioneer in the production of Specialty Coffee, Ipanema Coffees founds with eleven other producers the Brazilian Specialty Coffee Association (BSCA) in 1991. Their common objective: Increasing the quality of Brazilian coffee and changing the worldwide image of Brazil producing only quantity.
In 1993, Barnie’s Coffee in the USA launches “Taste of Brazil”, the first package that cites Ipanema Coffees as origin of Specialty Coffee. As part of its internationalization, Ipanema Coffee created its first Coffee Labels Ouro Preto, Gourmet, Bourbon and Conquista. Dulce and Ipanema Espresso follow two years later.
With the unexpected fast growth of the coffee business, Ipanema Coffees decides to terminate its orange cultivation in 1994 and defines coffee production as its only focus.
In 1995, Ipanema Coffees launches its domestic market operation under the new brand "Fazenda Ipanema". Its name is changed one year later into "Fazenda de Minas". In Denmark, Estate Coffee launches the "Single Origin Ipanema Dulce".
In 1997, Coca Cola Company Japan launches the canned ready to drink coffee "Georgia - Ipanema Blend". One year later, in the USA, Starbucks presents the Single Origin Brazil Ipanema Bourbon. Right before the millennium, Ipanema Coffees changes the visual identity.
The new millennium grants several awards for Ipanema Coffees. In 2001, the company is one of the finalists in the "Cup of Excellence" award.
With the leasing of Fazenda Rio Verde in Conceição do Rio Verde in 2002, Ipanema Coffees expanded its coffee production. In the same year, Ipanema Coffees changes its Corporate logo and becomes the first Brazilian company certified by UTZ code, the first global certification on sustainable coffee production.
A further certification follows in 2003. Ipanema Coffees gets certified by the C.A.F.E. Practices Strategic Suppliers code from Starbucks.
In 2004, Ipanema Coffees receives the Rainforest Alliance Certified label in 2004 and becomes the worlds largest coffee supplier carrying this certification. In the same year, Ipanema Coffees is awarded by the SCAA with The Sustainability Award. The visual identity is changed.
In 2006, Cia Bozanno sells its shares to Gavea Participações and Paraguaçu Participações that, together with the Fernandes family (now named ML Participações) composes the board of shareholders.
One year later, Ipanema Coffees makes investments in renovation and dripping irrigation system at Conquista Farm. Celebrating the 10th anniversary of Ipanema Bourbon, Starbucks relaunches the Brazil Ipanema Bourbon. Ipanema achieves 1.000.000 Specialty coffee bags exported.
In 2008, Ipanema Coffees acquires Rio Verde farm and reaches 5,500 hectares devoted to Specialty coffee production. Gavea Participações sells its shares to Friele Brazil Company, that together with ML Participações and Paraguaçu Participações compose the board of shareholders. Ipanema is classified among the 7th finalists of the Rainforest Alliance Cup for Quality.
Ipanema Coffee changes its visual identity and is classified among the 7th finalists of the “Rainforest Alliance Cup for Quality”.
The year 2009 marks the beginning of the Ipanema Yellow Bourbon, a label specially made for Nespresso. Ipanema Coffees is happy to be classified among the 4th finalists of the “Rainforest Alliance Cup for Quality” and awarded by the SCAE as “Outstanding Producer”.
In 2010, Ipanema Coffees launches the innovative packaging system NiMA (Nitrogen Modify Atmosphere). A new 10-kilogram packaging system (Nitrogen Modified Atmosphere) that guarantees the freshness and organoleptic characteristics for more than two years.
In 2011, Ipanema Coffees is certified by A.A.A. code from Nespresso. A severe draught reaches the whole coffee belt in Brazil. Another draught challenges Brazilian coffee producer.
In 2012, ML Participações sells part of its shares toMitsubishi and Tchibo. Together with Friele and Paraguaçu Participações they nowcompose the board of shareholders.
In the same year, Ipanema Coffees is certified by Fair Trade USA code and Friele launches the Single Origin Ipanema Bourbon in Norway.
One year later, Lawson in Japan launches the Single Origin Ipanema Macchi Café.
The years are marked by several single origin launches: In 2014, German roaster Tchibo launches the single origin capsules Ipanema Amarelo, the Ipanema Rio Verde blend and Rio Verde Special Edition, while Starbucks Reserve brings out the single origin Ipanema Rio Verde. On the other side of the world, Caffébene launches the single origin Ipanema Rio Verde in South Korea. In parallel, severe draught reaches the whole coffee belt in Brazil.
In 2015, Tchibo Germany launches the single origin capsules Ipanema Mainumbi special edition. Ipanema Coffee is one of the finalists in the "Cup of Excellence" award and wins the 2nd place in the “Rainforest Alliance Cup for Quality”.
In order to invest in the future, Ipanema Coffees invests in a new wet milling structure at Conquista farm, one of the world’s largest and modern coffee milling.
The year 2016 provides several alterations and changes: ML Participações sells its remaining shares to SC Investimentos Agrícolas and to Paraguaçu Participações. Along with Friele, Misubishi and Tchibo, they now compose the Board of Shareholders.
In parallel, Ipanema Coffees labels go through a major relaunch, being completely redesigned. Along with the new identity, Ipanema presents “Terroir”, a yearly changing limited edition of high quality micro-lots.