The move was “unprecedented” and could pave the way for more businesses to enter the Asian market, said Mr Portes.
Last year, Brazil’s coffee producers also signed a billion-dollar deal with Luckin Coffee – China’s answer to Starbucks.
Brazilian coffee bean exporter Fernanda Pizol says her farm, Daterra Coffee, will sell more coffee to China and other markets if demand in the US falters.
Many American buyers have asked to pause orders to assess the impact of tariffs on Brazilian goods, said Ms Pizol, who oversees sales at the company.
Business with Chinese buyers has soared over the past few years, said Ms Pizol, who added that sales in Japan and Europe are also thriving.
“We’ll need to diversify… We already have a waiting list of buyers.”
But for US coffee roasters, a five-pound (2.268kg) bag of Brazilian beans could rise by about 25% in the coming months, according to coffee consultant Luke Waite.
The jump means coffee drinkers might end up paying up to 7% more per cup, assuming cafes absorb some of the extra cost, he estimated.
“It seems small, but these costs add up day-to-day.”
