Brazilian coffee sector addresses climate resilience and harvest challenges

The Brazilian coffee sector is addressing climate variability and its impact on productivity. The Sociedade Rural Brasileira (SRB) recently held a debate featuring industry experts to discuss technological and management strategies for building resilience against weather instability.

Experts noted that coffee plant phenology spans two years, meaning accumulated meteorological events—such as El Niño and La Niña cycles—determine harvest outcomes. Recent challenges include irregular rainfall, severe frosts, and droughts. Research from the Federal University of Lavras indicates that under thermal or water stress, coffee plants may divert up to 50% of their energy to combat oxidative stress rather than production.

In the Cerrado Mineiro region, recent rainfall between September 10 and 16 has increased soil moisture and interrupted the collection of ground coffee. While 91% of total production has been processed, the rains have slowed the final stages of harvesting. However, the precipitation has also triggered a significant new flowering cycle, prompting calls for adjusted agronomic planning to protect new blooms.