Coffee and Climate

How climate, altitude, weather and adaptation affect coffee production.

Climate risk

Coffee production depends on temperature, rainfall, flowering conditions and the pressure from pests and diseases. Climate change can shift these conditions and increase production uncertainty.

Altitude is not climate by itself

Altitude influences temperature and other environmental conditions, but two farms at the same elevation can have different climates because of latitude, slope, cloud cover, rainfall and local geography.

Adaptation

Farmers may use shade, improved soil management, water conservation, crop diversification, resistant or tolerant varieties and changes in farm management. The appropriate combination is site-specific.

Resilience

Resilience is not simply maximising yield. It can include maintaining income, soil health, biodiversity, food security and the ability to recover from climatic shocks.