Born and raised among coffee trees, Raquel Ribeiro Aguiar has been connected to coffee for as long as she can remember. As a child, she loved following her father around the family farm, where those early experiences sparked a lasting passion for coffee. After graduating, Raquel returned to her hometown of Oliveira and began working alongside her father, Ronaldo, whose guidance and support shaped her journey.

A few years later, Ronaldo divided his land among his children, and Raquel took on the responsibility of continuing his legacy at Fazenda Cerrado Grande in Brazil’s Campo das Vertentes region. Although she was young, newly graduated, and had little experience in an industry traditionally dominated by men, she gradually found her confidence with the support of the farm’s team.

Raquel improved operational processes and shifted the farm’s focus towards specialty coffee, building on the foundation her father had created while developing her own vision for its future.

Today, her greatest dream is for her children to develop the same love for coffee that has guided her throughout her life, so that one day she can pass Fazenda Cerrado Grande on to the next generation.

“For me, Fazenda Cerrado Grande is the best place in the whole world. I am very grateful and glad that I could count on the support of incredible people along my coffee journey. The good results we enjoy today are due to the collective work and professionalism of the entire team.”
Raquel Ribeiro Aguiar