For over a century, Chalo Fernandez’s family has been cultivating coffee in Colombia, witnessing the evolution of climate change. Fernandez, currently managing his family farm and Trebilcock Coffee Roasters in Pickering, Ontario, reminisces about his grandfather’s ability to predict weather patterns by observing the mountains near their farm. These forecasts were crucial for planting crops, drying beans, and safeguarding them. However, the predictability of weather has vanished, with erratic temperature fluctuations and rainfall posing challenges to coffee producers like Fernandez.
The impact of climate change is not limited to Fernandez’s farm but extends to major coffee-producing countries like Colombia, Brazil, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Ethiopia, which collectively account for 75% of global coffee production. A recent analysis by Climate Central reveals that these nations are experiencing an average of 57 extra days of heat detrimental to coffee cultivation due to climate change. Brazil, the largest coffee producer globally, faces a staggering 70 additional days of damaging heat annually.
The rising temperatures directly harm coffee plants, disrupt rainfall patterns, and exacerbate pest infestations, leading to crop losses. In Colombia, where Fernandez’s farm is situated, the prolonged heat spells have resulted in 48 extra days of adverse conditions for coffee cultivation. Such extreme weather events have caused significant harvest losses for Fernandez’s farm in recent years, impacting financial stability due to the inability to raise prices for international buyers.
Climate Central’s analysis, using the Climate Shift Index, indicates that temperatures exceeding 30°C are detrimental to coffee plants, affecting yield and quality. Experts liken the impact of heat on coffee plants to human perspiration, where the plant expends more energy to regulate its temperature, diverting resources from growth and making it susceptible to diseases and fungal growth. The variability in weather patterns due to climate change poses challenges for coffee growers worldwide, leading to unstable prices and diminished yields.
Most coffee production occurs on smallholder farms, particularly in equatorial regions known as the Bean Belt. The widespread impact of extreme heat affects all farmers, especially smaller ones lacking resources to adapt sustainably. These challenges ultimately translate into higher prices for consumers in countries like Canada, where coffee consumption rates are high. As climate change continues to disrupt coffee-producing regions, consumers can expect further price hikes while demand remains steady.
Despite the hurdles faced by coffee growers, Fernandez remains committed to his craft, sharing his climate-related struggles on social media to raise awareness. He emphasizes the urgency of addressing these challenges to ensure the longevity of coffee farming for future generations.