A new report by an industry watchdog adds to the growing scientific consensus that deforestation for coffee farming is causing reduced rainfall and increased crop failure risks. The report highlights how the conversion of forest land into coffee plantations disrupts local ecosystems, leading to unpredictable weather patterns that jeopardize coffee yields. As coffee producers continue to clear land to meet growing global demand, the delicate balance of natural water cycles is being disrupted, posing a serious threat to the industry’s sustainability.
Harvesting coffee in Alfenas, Brazil, in July. The country is the world’s largest coffee producer. The report emphasizes that Brazil’s coffee regions, which are critical to global supply chains, are experiencing a decline in rainfall due to deforestation. Scientists warn that without significant changes in land-use practices, the long-term viability of coffee cultivation could be compromised, affecting both farmers and international markets.