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Why is Arabica coffee usually more expensive to produce than Robusta coffee?
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Coffea arabica is generally more expensive to produce than the Robusta variety (C. canephora) primarily because it is a more delicate and demanding plant.12
The higher production costs for Arabica are driven by several specific environmental and cultivation requirements:
- Elevation and Climate: Arabica must be grown at higher altitudes, typically between 600 and 2,000 meters (2,000β6,500 feet), in cool subtropical climates. In contrast, the hardier Robusta can thrive at much lower elevations, ranging from sea level up to 600 meters.13
- Vulnerability: Arabica is significantly more susceptible to pests than the robust Robusta variety.13
- Specific Growing Conditions: Arabica requires precise moisture levels and specific shade requirements to flourish, necessitating more careful management during cultivation.134
Because Robusta is a hardier species that can grow in a wider range of altitudes and is less prone to damage, it is less costly to cultivate, making it the preferred choice for many inexpensive commercial coffee brands.12