Minas Gerais coffee farms hit by hail, authorities issue recovery guidance
Recent hailstorms in the southern part of Minas Gerais and the Zona da Mata have caused defoliation, broken branches, fruit damage and loss of entire production zones on coffee plantations. Meteorologist Lizando Gemiacki of the Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia noted the situation as “atípica” for the season and warned that further rain with strong winds and hail is possible in the coming days.
The Conselho Nacional do Café (CNC) advises growers to first assess the extent of damage. For light injury, normal cultural practices should continue with reinforced nutrition and pest monitoring. In severely affected areas, selective pruning is recommended to stimulate plant recovery, while vigilance against fungal and bacterial diseases is essential. The State Agriculture Secretariat (SEAPA) also urges producers to plan for the expected stronger El Niño event in late 2026, suggesting soil‑moisture conservation, use of drought‑tolerant cultivars and irrigation planning. “Diante da expectativa relativa ao El Niño, nosso trabalho junto aos agricultores e pecuaristas mineiros é orientá‑los e assisti‑los tecnicamente sobre estratégias que possam reduzir os efeitos do fenômeno climático em suas atividades,” said Feliciano Nogueira, SEAPA’s superintendent of Innovation and Agro‑economic Development.