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Climate Change Impact on Robusta Coffee: How it Affects Production and Quality

Climate Change Impact on Robusta Coffee How it Affects Production and Quality

Climate Change Impact on Robusta Coffee How it Affects Production and Quality

Robusta coffee is one of the most essential coffee varieties in the world, known for its high caffeine content and intense flavor. The production of Robusta coffee has been significantly affected by climate change in recent years. In this article, we’ll explore the climate change impact on Robusta coffee, including its production and quality.

Introduction

Robusta coffee is a coffee variety known for its high caffeine content and robust flavor. It is one of the most essential coffee varieties in the world and is grown in several countries across Africa, Asia, and South America. The production of Robusta coffee is critical to the livelihoods of millions of people around the world. However, climate change has been affecting the production and quality of Robusta coffee in recent years.

This article aims to explore the impact of climate change on Robusta coffee, including its production and quality. We’ll examine how climate change affects weather patterns, soil quality, pests and diseases, water availability, and the chemical composition of Robusta coffee. We’ll also look at the mitigation and adaptation measures that can be taken to address the impact of climate change on Robusta coffee.

The importance of Robusta coffee in the coffee industry

Understanding the basics of climate change

Climate Change Impact on Robusta Coffee Production

Robusta coffee production has been severely affected by climate change. Changes in soil quality have impacted the yields and quality of Robusta coffee. The increase in pests and diseases, such as coffee rust, has been another significant challenge for farmers. Due to droughts or floods, the changes in water availability have also affected coffee production.

Coffee farmers are struggling to maintain their coffee yields and quality of their coffee due to the impact of climate change. These challenges pose significant threats to the sustainability of Robusta coffee production and the livelihoods of coffee farmers.

Climate Change Impact on the Quality of Robusta Coffee

Climate change has also affected the quality of Robusta coffee. Changes in the flavor profile, aroma, and chemical composition of Robusta coffee have been observed due to climate change. These changes may affect the marketability and demand for Robusta coffee.

Coffee beans from different regions have unique flavors, aromas, and chemical compositions, contributing to their quality. Changes in these attributes may result in the loss of individual flavor profiles of Robusta coffee, affecting the coffee industry’s sustainability.

According to many studies, the regions considered the most suitable for growing coffee worldwide are Central – South America, especially Brazil; Central and West Africa; and South Asia and Southeast Asia. Among many types of coffee, Arabica coffee plants – the most appreciated and used by many major coffee brands in the world (such as Starbucks) – are in more demanding geographical conditions. , climate, water resources… to be able to develop best. The optimum temperature of Arabica coffee plants is in the range of 64° – 70°F (18° – 21°C); The highest temperature this coffee can withstand is 73°F (24°C).

In Vietnam, the famous Arabica coffee is grown in Cau Dat (Da Lat – Lam Dong) with an average altitude of 1,450 – 1,650m above sea level. According to research by Jeremy Torz & Steven Macedonia (2022), Arabica coffee “has a very narrow tolerance for temperature and precipitation.” Accordingly, “it is necessary to have rain at specific times of the year, during flowering, to bear fruit and not to appear after harvest when the farmer is trying to dry the coffee.” In 2014, the 5th Assessment Report (AR5) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicted: The area suitable for growing coffee will likely be reduced by 2050. Additional research also demonstrates that increased temperatures can affect the pest status of coffee plants.

The more severe problem is that when the temperature increases, the coffee will ripen faster, but the quality of the beans will decrease. When exposed to temperatures higher than 86°F (30°C), coffee plants will experience stunted growth, yellow leaves, or stem tumorigenesis. As quoted from Jeremy Torz & Steven Macatonia in The Peak of Coffee World: “In 2012, Dr. Aaron Davis and his team completed a predictive computer modeling analysis of the between 85% and 99.7% of the land suitable for wild Arabica coffee by 2080.

IPCC scientists also determined the expected loss of coffee land in Guatemala, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, and Mexico. Changes in temperature and rainfall could reduce Central America’s coffee-growing area by 38 to 89 percent by 2050. The same holds for countries that are significant producers and exporters of coffee, leading countries such as Brazil, Vietnam, Indonesia, Colombia…

This, of course, also led to a massive increase in the price of coffee in the international market. In 2020, the retail price of coffee in the US increased by 6.3% due to drought and unusual frost in Brazil – the world’s top coffee supplier. With fewer places to grow coffee in the future, tighter supply could exacerbate price increases.

Climate Change Impact on Robusta coffee producing regions

Mitigation Measures

Mitigation measures can help reduce climate change’s impact on Robusta coffee. Sustainable coffee farming practices such as agroforestry, intercropping, and organic farming can help to maintain the soil quality and increase the resilience of coffee crops to climate change. Using shade trees and water conservation practices can also help keep soil moisture and reduce the effects of extreme weather events.

Soil management practices such as using cover crops and compost can also help maintain soil fertility and increase the resilience of coffee crops to pests and diseases.

Adaptation Measures

Adaptation measures are necessary to help Robusta coffee farmers cope with the impact of climate change. Diversification is crucial, and coffee farmers should explore other crops that can thrive in their regions. Adopting resilient coffee varieties, such as those that are resistant to pests and diseases and can tolerate droughts, can also help increase the resilience of coffee crops.

The Future of Robusta coffee production in a changing climate

The importance of sustainable coffee production

The Potential of Coffee to Contribute to climate change solutions

Conclusion

Climate change is a significant challenge facing Robusta coffee production. It is affecting the production, quality, and sustainability of Robusta coffee. Mitigation and adaptation measures are necessary to help coffee farmers cope with the impact of climate change on their crops. Sustainable coffee farming practices, diversification, and adopting resilient coffee varieties are crucial measures that can help increase coffee crops’ resilience.

FAQs

  1. What is Robusta coffee? Robusta coffee is a coffee variety known for its high caffeine content and robust flavor.
  1. How has climate change affected Robusta coffee production? Climate change has affected Robusta coffee production by causing changes in weather patterns, soil quality, pests and diseases, and water availability.
  1. What can be done to mitigate the impact of climate change on Robusta coffee? Mitigation measures such as sustainable coffee farming practices, using shade trees and water conservation, and soil management practices can help reduce climate change’s impact on Robusta coffee.
  1. What adaptation measures can be taken to cope with the impact of climate change on Robusta coffee? Adaptation measures such as diversification and adopting resilient coffee varieties can help increase the resilience of Robusta coffee crops to the effects of climate change.
  1. Why is it essential to address the impact of climate change on Robusta coffee? Robusta coffee is an important crop that provides livelihoods for millions of people around the world. The effects of climate change on Robusta coffee production and quality can have significant implications for the coffee industry’s sustainability and the coffee farmers’ well-being. Addressing the impact of climate change on Robusta coffee is crucial to ensure the sustainability of the coffee industry and the livelihoods of coffee farmers.
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