Robusta Coffee Faces Climate Threat as Study Debunks “Resilient” Reputation
Synopsis
A new study finds robusta-growing regions in Brazil, Vietnam and India are already outside suitable climate conditions, challenging claims that the coffee variety can help the industry adapt to climate change; researchers say irrigation has helped conceal its drought intolerance.
A new study has challenged the widely held belief that robusta coffee can withstand climate change better than other varieties, warning that the crop’s vulnerability to drought could make it an unreliable solution for the industry’s future.
The research, published in the Wiley journal Sustainable Development, found that previous assessments of robusta’s climate resilience contained significant shortcomings, including the treatment of irrigated farms as naturally suitable growing areas.
Lead author Aaron Davis, senior research leader of crops and global change at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, described robusta’s reputation as a climate saviour as an “internet myth”.
Robusta is generally considered more heat-tolerant than arabica and supplies tens of millions of bags to global markets each year.
Vietnam and Brazil are among its largest producers, making any change in perceptions of the crop’s climate suitability significant for farmers, traders and consumers.
Heat Tolerance Does Not Mean Drought Resilience
Davis said robusta is more tolerant of high temperatures than arabica but is also “drought-intolerant”, challenging claims that it could provide a straightforward answer to climate pressures facing coffee production.
The study found that major robusta-producing countries, including Vietnam, Brazil and India, have areas where the crop’s climate suitability depends heavily on irrigation. This raises concerns as water availability becomes increasingly uncertain in several coffee-growing regions.
Previous research had suggested robusta could offer farmers greater protection against drought and rising temperatures. However, the new study argues that such conclusions should be regarded as provisional because of methodological problems.
Water Risks Threaten Future Production
Growing reliance on irrigation could create additional risks for producers. The study warned that regions already experiencing limited water availability may struggle to maintain profitable robusta production as climate conditions become more challenging.
The findings arrive as global demand for robusta continues to grow, increasing pressure on producers to expand cultivation while adapting to changing weather patterns. Climate adaptation had become an urgent necessity for safeguarding production.
For Davis, the findings highlight the need for broader changes rather than simply shifting production from arabica to robusta. He argued that the global coffee industry requires “major structural and systemic change” if it is to remain viable over the long term.
The study therefore does not dismiss robusta’s heat tolerance but cautions against treating it as a climate-proof alternative without accounting for its dependence on water.
Source: Reuters
Vishal is an experienced Editor at Inspirepreneur Magazine with key interests in artificial intelligence, eCommerce, entrepreneurship, lifestyle and startup sector. Prior to joining Inspirepreneur, he was a Content Writer cum Correspondent at Siliconindia Magazine, where he worked on Company Profiles, Cover Stories, Executive Profiles, Feature Articles and Thought Leadership content.
