Chalo Fernandez’s family has been growing coffee in Colombia for over a century, witnessing the impact of climate change firsthand. Fernandez, now managing his family farm and Trebilcock Coffee Roasters in Pickering, Ont., recalls how his grandfather used to predict weather patterns by observing the mountains near their farm. This knowledge guided their farming practices, from planting crops to protecting them from adverse conditions.
The predictable weather patterns have disappeared, leaving producers like Fernandez at the mercy of unpredictable temperature fluctuations and irregular rainfall, resulting in reduced harvests. Excessive sunlight can lead to premature flowering and subsequent crop loss due to inadequate water supply, while prolonged periods of rainfall can also harm the berry-producing flowers.
These challenges are not unique to Fernandez’s farm but are affecting major coffee-producing countries like Colombia, Brazil, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Ethiopia, which collectively produce 75% of the world’s coffee. A recent analysis by Climate Central reveals that these nations are experiencing an average of 57 additional days of heat detrimental to coffee cultivation due to climate change. Brazil, the largest coffee producer globally, is facing even more significant challenges with 70 extra days of damaging heat annually.
The rising temperatures directly impact coffee plants, disrupt rainfall patterns, and exacerbate pest outbreaks, further jeopardizing crop yields. Fernandez’s farm in Colombia, for instance, is grappling with 48 extra days of heat that harm coffee production. He recounts a recent season where extreme weather conditions led to more than half of their harvest being lost, imposing financial burdens on farmers who struggle to raise prices for international buyers.
The effects of heat on coffee crops have far-reaching consequences, with elevated temperatures stressing plants, reducing yields, and compromising bean quality. Experts liken the impact of heat on coffee plants to the energy expended by humans to cool down in hot conditions, diverting resources from normal functions to survival. This vulnerability makes plants susceptible to diseases and fungal growth, further deteriorating crop health.
As climate change disrupts coffee production globally, the industry faces challenges in stabilizing prices and maintaining quality. The increasing weather variability poses a threat to coffee growers, particularly smallholder farmers who lack resources to adapt to changing conditions. Consequently, consumers, including those in Canada, may experience price fluctuations and supply uncertainties, given the country’s high coffee consumption rates.
Despite the challenges, coffee remains a staple for many, and the demand is unlikely to diminish. However, continued climate change impacts on coffee-producing regions could lead to higher prices for consumers. Fernandez emphasizes the urgency of addressing climate-related issues in coffee farming to secure the future of the industry and ensure the livelihood of coffee producers for generations to come.