Is There Still Coffee?

After tea (and water), coffee is the most widely consumed beverage in the world. Every day, 2.25 billion mugs, cups and cardboard takeaway cups are knocked back. The market is growing particularly in Asia and Latin America. Good news, then. Except that coffee is running out…

If nothing changes in coffee farming, by 2050 the amount of suitable agricultural land will have been halved. Farming also offers young people too little prospect, which is why the average age of coffee farmers in many coffee-producing countries is already 60. We’re not making that up; that’s according to Solidaridad, a specialist in making supply chains more sustainable.

Out of coffee?

For many countries, including Ethiopia, Colombia and Brazil, coffee is a cornerstone of the economy. But the more than 125 million people who depend on coffee farming for their income are already struggling. Despite all the well-intentioned certification labels.

Our coffee is under threat.

And not just them—their coffee beans are too. Coffee plants grow in a (sub)tropical climate, often in mountainous areas. The right altitude, temperature and humidity are crucial. Arabica coffee in particular, popular with all baristas except those in Naples, is sensitive to climate change. Excessive rain makes coffee beans vulnerable to diseases and pests. And too little rainfall can cause the coffee harvest to fail.

Coffee fix

To save our daily fix, Solidaridad wants to work with coffee companies and governments to limit the impact of climate change on the coffee sector by training farmers worldwide in Climate Smart Agriculture (climate-friendly farming). They must learn to adapt to the changing climate while also reducing their greenhouse-gas emissions from coffee production.

And if the costs of agricultural supplies also come down while bean yields and quality go up, young people will naturally want to become coffee farmers again. And our cup of joe will be saved.

Now it’s your turn

A world away from your everyday life? You really can do something too. For example, share the video below to make everyone realise that the situation with coffee is serious.