Minas Gerais coffee farms hit by hail, recovery guidelines issued

Recent hailstorms in South Minas and the Zona da Mata have caused significant damage to coffee plantations. Ice pellets broke branches, stripped leaves and harmed fruit, threatening yields at a critical recovery stage after harvest. Meteorologist Lizando Gemiacki of INMET described the situation as “an atypical condition for this time of year.”

The National Coffee Council advises growers to first assess damage. Light injuries call for normal cultural care with reinforced nutrition and monitoring, while severe damage may require selective pruning to stimulate regrowth. The wounds also raise the risk of fungal and bacterial diseases, prompting ongoing technical oversight.

State agriculture officials warn that a stronger El Niño expected in the second half of 2026 could alter regional rainfall patterns, potentially stressing coffee cycles further. They recommend water‑conserving practices, drought‑tolerant varieties and planned irrigation where feasible to improve farm resilience.