The Impact of Climate Change on Coffee and Tea Cultivation

Climate change impacts coffee and tea cultivation globally, particularly in Europe, reducing yields and crop losses. Businesses are adapting, diversifying, and supporting small-scale farmers.

FREMONT CA: Climate change represents a critical global challenge with extensive implications for agriculture. Coffee and tea, two essential crops for numerous economies—including several in Europe—are among the most affected.

The European Coffee and Tea Landscape

Although Europe is not a major producer of coffee or tea, it is a leading consumer of both commodities. The European Union (EU) is the world's largest importer of coffee beans, and coffee and tea remain highly popular across the continent. This reliance on imports renders Europe particularly susceptible to the global effects of climate change on these crucial crops.

Climate change is exerting significant pressure on coffee and tea cultivation, with its impact most prominently seen in rising temperatures. Elevated temperatures disrupt the flowering patterns of coffee plants, leading to reduced yields and a decline in coffee bean quality. In some regions, these temperature increases are severe enough to threaten the survival of coffee crops altogether.

Rainfall patterns, another critical aspect of climate change, also affect coffee and tea production. The shift towards more frequent droughts and intense rainfall events disrupts the growth cycles of these plants. Drought conditions stress the plants, lowering their yields, while excessive rainfall can lead to soil erosion and an increased incidence of plant diseases, further hampering production.

The warming climate and altered rainfall patterns create ideal conditions for pests and diseases targeting coffee and tea plants. This increased pest and disease pressure leads to greater crop losses and escalates production costs, adding to farmers' challenges in maintaining healthy crops. Additionally, climate change is accelerating soil degradation through erosion, nutrient loss, and diminished soil fertility, which negatively impact crop productivity and resilience.

In response to these challenges, European businesses and farmers are implementing various adaptation strategies to safeguard their coffee and tea supply chains. Agronomic practices such as shade planting, intercropping, and drought-tolerant plant varieties are employed to improve crop resilience. Farmers are also diversifying their crop portfolios to reduce their reliance on coffee or tea alone, thereby mitigating the risks associated with climate change. Adopting advanced technologies, including precision agriculture and climate modelling, is helping farmers monitor crop health more effectively, optimise water usage, and anticipate climate impacts.

Sustainable sourcing is another key strategy, with European companies increasingly prioritising suppliers who engage in environmentally responsible practices. This commitment to sustainability helps protect the environment and ensures the long-term viability of coffee and tea production in a changing climate.

The European Union is also pivotal in addressing the impacts of climate change on coffee and tea cultivation through a series of policies and initiatives. The EU has negotiated trade agreements with coffee-producing countries, emphasising sustainable production and environmental protection. Additionally, the EU has invested in research and development projects to create climate-resilient coffee and tea varieties and improve agricultural practices. Support is also being provided to small-scale farmers in coffee-producing regions to help them adapt to the challenges posed by climate change and improve their livelihoods.