Record coffee prices in the US stem from Brazil’s severe droughts and rising global demand. Farmers report significant harvest losses, leading to shortages and crime-related challenges. The viability of coffea arabica is jeopardized, prompting considerations of transitioning to hardier coffee strains amidst a changing climate.
In Brazil, the rising cost of coffee, now averaging $7 per pound in US supermarkets, can be traced back to severe weather affecting farmers like Augusto Rodrigues Alves. He noted a critical shortage this year, stating, “I don’t have any coffee… nothing, zero.” This scarcity stems from extreme drought and rising temperatures, which are significantly impacting Brazil’s coffee harvest as global demand surges, particularly in markets like China, turning coffee from an affordable staple into a luxury item.
Farmers in Brazil’s Alta Mogiana region have reported substantial losses, with some experiencing harvest reductions of over 60%. Tiago Donizete Rodrigues, another farmer, explained the need to purchase coffee from others to fulfill customer orders, emphasizing the dire situation with, “I’m not going to be able to collect anything this year.” Effects of climate change and criminal activity, including coffee thefts, are compounding the challenges faced by producers in a traditionally coffee-rich region.
The coffea arabica plant, beloved for its smooth flavor, is vulnerable due to climate demands that include specific temperature and rainfall conditions. Jean Vilhena Faleiros, a local association president, indicated that last year’s temperatures soared to 80 degrees, with even higher peaks becoming common. Research suggests that substantial coffee plantations could be lost in South America, with Brazilian losses projected between 20 to 60%.
In the face of climate challenges, some farmers are considering transitioning to coffea canephora, a more resilient species. As Rodrigues Alves considered his future, he lamented the irony: it should be a lucrative period for coffee, yet “If we had any coffee to sell.” The landscape is also changing due to crime; authorities have reported a rise in organized thefts, with recent arrests indicating a new criminal economy emerging around coffee theft.
The article highlights the multifaceted crisis afflicting Brazil’s coffee industry due to severe droughts, rising temperatures, and increasing global demand. Farmers are facing unprecedented challenges in production, driving prices upward and transforming coffee into a luxury item. The interplay of climate change and criminal activities further complicates the situation, making the future of coffee farming in Brazil uncertain. Without effective solutions, including possible shifts to more resilient coffee species, the industry may continue to struggle.
Original Source: www.bostonglobe.com
