Climate change is increasingly impacting the world around us, and one area where this is particularly evident is in the production of Arabica coffee in Brazil. São Paulo and Minas Gerais, two significant coffee-producing regions, are feeling the heat, both literally and metaphorically. Increasing temperatures due to climate change and deforestation in the Amazon and Cerrado regions are negatively impacting Arabica coffee production in these areas.
To counter the damaging effects of climate change on their crops, coffee producers are adopting agroforestry and shading techniques. These methods are becoming crucial for the survival of coffee farms in these regions.
Take, for instance, the case of Fazenda Ambiental Fortaleza, a coffee farm owned by Felipe Barretto Croce in São Paulo. This farm, like many others, faces significant threats from extreme temperatures and wildfires, both of which have become more frequent due to climate change.
The Gro Intelligence platform, a data-driven predictive tool, anticipates an increase in extreme temperatures and decreased rainfall in the coming years. This shift will have a more significant impact on coffee production in Brazil compared to other coffee-producing nations.
José Oscar Ferreira Cintra, a coffee farmer, reports that climate change is causing unpredictable weather patterns. This unpredictability leads to uneven ripening of coffee beans and increased susceptibility to disease, further threatening the viability of coffee production.
Indeed, there has been a significant rise in temperatures during the flowering period in coffee-producing areas since 2010. Predictions suggest further increases in days of extreme temperatures by 2050.
Climate change is not only raising temperatures but also leading to more extreme weather overall. This shift has resulted in a rainfall deficit, which makes coffee plants more vulnerable to environmental changes. This vulnerability is primarily due to significant deforestation in the Cerrado and the Amazon.
The Gro Intelligence platform predicts a 10% decrease in rainfall by 2050 and an increase in extreme temperature days. These changes will severely impact Brazil’s Arabica coffee production, posing significant challenges for an industry that millions of people depend on for their livelihood.
Climate change is proving to be a formidable adversary for Brazil’s coffee producers. However, through innovation and adaptation, these producers are finding ways to mitigate the impact and ensure the continued production of Brazil’s renowned Arabica coffee.
