Extreme heat and prolonged drought in Brazil’s coffee-growing regions have slashed yields and sent Arabic prices to their highest in nearly 50 years. From struggling organic farms to scorched plantations, the crisis is rippling across global markets, making coffee a costly luxury for consumers worldwide.
In Brazil’s coffee-growing heartlands, the effects of extreme weather are glaringly evident. In Divinolandia, about 270 km northeast of Sao Paulo, organic coffee producer Sergio Lange stands next to a struggling coffee plant. Rising temperatures and relentless drought are ravaging the region’s plantations, threatening livelihoods and driving up the cost of a cherished global commodity.
Last November, the price of arabica coffee, the most widely consumed variety, hit its highest level in nearly half a century, underscoring the severity of the crisis.
From the air, Divinolandia’s coffee plantations tell the same story. Once-thriving fields appear patchy and stressed, with many plants failing to cope with the prolonged heat. For farmers committed to sustainable practices, such as Lange, the challenge of preserving organic production methods amidst dwindling water resources and rising temperatures is immense.
