Maria Valéria and Maria Rogéria Pereira

Maria Valéria and Maria Rogéria Pereira are the stewards of Fazenda Irmãs Pereira, a family-owned estate located in the renowned coffee-producing region of Carmo de Minas, Brazil. The farm was originally established in the early 1970s by their parents, Antônio Andrade Pereira Filho and Maria de Conceição Costa Pereira, who purchased the land and planted the first coffee seedlings in 1971. Following their father's passing, the sisters chose to maintain the estate as a unified family enterprise rather than dividing it, renaming the property 'Irmãs Pereira'—or 'Pereira Sisters'—to reflect their joint leadership and commitment to the land.

The farm spans approximately 250 hectares, with roughly half of that area dedicated to coffee cultivation. Situated at elevations between 1,050 and 1,220 meters above sea level, the estate benefits from the region's specific latitude of 22º S. While this elevation might be considered moderate in equatorial regions, the local climate provides the warm days and cool, temperate nights essential for the slow, steady maturation of coffee cherries, which is a hallmark of high-quality Brazilian specialty coffee.

Under the management of the sisters and their families, the farm has become a hub for agricultural excellence. The estate cultivates a wide array of coffee varieties, including Acaiá, Novo Mundo, Red and Yellow Bourbon, and various selections of Red and Yellow Catuaí and Catucaí. This diversity allows the producers to experiment with different flavor profiles and adapt to the specific environmental conditions of their plots, ensuring a consistent output of high-grade beans.

Innovation is a core component of the sisters' approach to coffee production. The farm operates a large, sophisticated processing station that serves not only their own harvest but also surrounding farms associated with the Carmo Coffee banner. To push the boundaries of quality, the sisters have implemented modern techniques such as yeast inoculation during processing and the use of UV protection during the drying phase. These measures are part of a broader, persistent effort to refine their sensory profiles and maintain the farm's reputation for excellence.

Beyond their individual farm management, the Pereira sisters are deeply integrated into the broader specialty coffee community. Their work is often highlighted in the context of the Carmo de Minas region's success, where they collaborate with other producers and industry partners to elevate the standards of Brazilian coffee. Their management style emphasizes a balance between traditional family heritage and the adoption of modern agronomic practices, ensuring the farm remains both productive and sustainable.

The legacy of the Pereira family is one of continuity and adaptation. By maintaining the estate as a single, cohesive unit, Maria Valéria and Maria Rogéria have preserved the history of their parents' initial investment while revitalizing the farm's operations for the modern market. Their story serves as a case study in how multi-generational family farms in Brazil can successfully transition into the specialty sector through careful variety selection, rigorous processing standards, and a commitment to regional collaboration.