The global coffee market is currently valued at $138 billion, with millions of people employed in the industry across 70 countries. However, a new study has found that 60% of all coffee species are at risk of extinction due to increasing disease and insects, as well as shifting weather patterns.
Carmen Alvarez and her husband Francisco Mamani have been working with coffee plants near Bolivia’s Amboro National Park for 30 years, facing various environmental setbacks over time. Coffee is a fragile plant that requires specific microclimates to thrive, with growers in “coffee belt” nations well-versed in dealing with fungal diseases and pests.
As weather patterns become more erratic, diseases are becoming more widespread, threatening the future of growers everywhere. One such disease is coffee leaf rust, which affects Arabica strains and spreads like a pathogen. The fungal disease was detected for the first time in Saudi Arabia last year, putting at risk the country’s 200,000 bags of roast and ground coffee imported to the United States annually.
Some studies estimate that 60% of all coffee species are at risk of extinction due to evolving and shifting climates. In the past, wild Arabica strains—known for having the best taste—were predicted to become extinct well before the end of this century. Currently, the United States consumes 1.62 billion pounds of coffee per year.
Fairtrade America’s executive director, Amanda Archila, said research shows that the number of regions best suited for growing coffee will be cut in half over the next 25 years or so. This puts millions of farmers and their families at risk, as they struggle with irregular rainfall, sun-dried wells, smaller and thinner plants, and increased susceptibility to pests and diseases.
Despite these challenges, some growers are determined not to give up on their multi-generational farms. The Alvarez family is getting creative with solutions for the plagues afflicting their coffee production. They prepare different products to cure and protect their plants from diseases and use various methods such as wood ashes, laundry soap, lime, and sulfur to battle fungal diseases and pests.
As climate change continues to impact agriculture worldwide, it is crucial for farmers like the Alvarezes to find innovative ways to protect their crops and ensure a sustainable future for the global coffee industry.
