Mumbai: Coffee lovers are facing some tough news. Climate change is making coffee harder to grow and more expensive to buy. Recent weather changes are turning coffee-growing regions into hotter, more challenging places. As a result, coffee prices have shot up in recent years.
According to an analysis by Climate Central, the five years from 2021 to 2025 saw a rise in harmful heat in coffee-growing areas worldwide. This extra heat can hurt both the quality and quantity of coffee that farmers can harvest.
Did you know that around 2.2 billion cups of coffee are enjoyed every day globally? In the U.S., two-thirds of adults sip coffee daily. But the future of our favorite beverage is looking uncertain due to climate impacts.
Twenty-five countries that grow coffee make up about 97% of the global supply. These countries have all experienced increased heat in the last five years, affecting their ability to produce coffee. The top five coffee producers alone—Brazil, Vietnam, Colombia, Ethiopia, and Indonesia—are responsible for 75% of the world’s coffee and have seen an average of 57 additional hot days each year due to climate change.
Akshay Dashrath, Co-Founder and Grower at the South India Coffee Company, highlights the reality on the ground. “We’re measuring climate change daily. Our sensors reveal longer periods of high temperatures and faster soil moisture loss,” he explains. He points out the imbalance in conditions that coffee plants need. “Coffee thrives on balance—shade and moisture. When that balance is lost, we must adapt quickly with better practices for soil health and water management.”
Sohan Shetty, who runs biodiversity-filled shaded organic coffee farms in the Western Ghats, shares his observations too. “We see increased temperatures and erratic rainfall. This reduces soil moisture even in shaded areas, stressing our coffee plants,” he says. “Sometimes, we have to stop harvesting because the timing of flowering doesn’t align with rainfall, leading to fruit drying on the plants.”
The effects of climate change on coffee don’t just threaten prices; they jeopardize livelihoods of many farmers. A report by the International Coffee Organization states that coffee farmers in developing regions, who rely heavily on this crop, may see major economic impacts. As climate change continues, the coffee industry could face significant challenges ahead.
As coffee drinkers, we might have to adapt too—perhaps seeking out sustainable brands or exploring different coffee types that can withstand changing climates. The conversation around coffee production and climate change has never been more crucial. How do we ensure our morning brew can thrive in the future?
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