As Brazil grapples with a severe drought, coffee farmers are facing a dire situation. José Orlando Cintra Filho reports that his coffee crops have not seen rain for six months, leading to the withering of trees and a drastic reduction in next year's harvest. The lack of water has forced farmers to halt irrigation, raising concerns about the impact on the global coffee market, particularly for major chains like Starbucks that rely on Brazilian arabica beans.
This drought not only threatens local agricultural livelihoods but also poses significant implications for coffee prices worldwide. As Brazil is one of the largest coffee producers, any decline in supply could lead to increased prices and potential shortages in international markets. The situation underscores the vulnerability of global food systems to climate change and extreme weather events.