Impending Threat: Climate Change’s Impact on Coffee Production in Central America

Impending Threat: Climate Change’s Impact on Coffee Production in Central America

Experts are sounding the alarm about the impending decline in coffee production due to the climate change effects, especially in Central America, according to the Argentinean newspaper “Infobae.”

Robin Galuzzi, Director of the Maximizing Opportunities in Coffee and Cocoa in the Americas (MOCCA) program, discussed potential scenarios for coffee crops due to the El Niño phenomenon in Central America.

He highlighted that El Niño is expected to significantly affect coffee production, particularly in Central America, including El Salvador. The region is likely to experience reduced rainfall, leading to stronger drought conditions than usual. With limited rainfall and soaring temperatures, the region as a whole will be impacted, although the exact effect may vary from country to country and even farm to farm. The dry corridor is expected to bear the brunt of the impact.

Galuzzi pointed out that high temperatures and scarce rainfall stress the coffee plants. Under such pressure, the plants bloom to bear fruit, but they may struggle to do so without sufficient nourishment. This could affect flower stability and pollination, leading to lower yields as fewer grains are produced.

The expert emphasized that even self-pollinating flowers rely on birds and insects for beneficial cross-pollination. However, if we experience drought conditions, these helpers will suffer too, further impacting the pollination process and production as a whole.