Fifth of arabica coffee growing area to be unsuitable by 2050, report says

Climate change could result in 20% of current arabica coffee growing areas being classified as unsuitable by 2050, Rabobank forecast in ​a report on Monday.

Currently, 8% of arabica-growing areas -- found in countries including Brazil, ‌Colombia and Honduras among others -- are unsuitable for cultivation, where crops require more investment and produce lower yields, the bank said.

The report used scientific guidance to classify crop areas ​into four categories, ranging from very suitable to unsuitable, Rabobank said, ​adding that those definitions depend on present and forecast climate conditions.

“Rising ⁠temperatures and altered rainfall patterns can make coffee growing conditions less predictable ​and increase the frequency of climate shocks such as droughts, heat waves and ​heavy rainfall,” Rabobank said in its report.

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