Rain and Frost X Quality and Productivity is the name of the game
As the Brazilian Harvest starts, we should now pay close attention to the weather over the Arabica coffee belt.
80% of the Brazilian Arabica beans grow in zones which are vulnerable to winter cold fronts that bring widespread rains and frost to the lower plantations.
In Brazil’s Coffee Belt, frost happens at the lower areas of Valleys around 800 to 900 meters (2600 – 2700′) altitude. Many plantations are located at or start uphill from this same altitude.
The Frost season starts in May and extends into late August, frost happens multiple times every winter but rarely hits coffee as the plantations are in general located higher and over an extensive territorial area.
Only a very cold winter can bring risk to coffee, nevertheless, we have to follow the weather pattern and forecasts avoiding to be caught ” Short ” by surprise in case a frost hits over large coffee areas.
Frost will kill a tree or damage the next crop productivity by up to 100%, there is not much one can do to avoid frost effect in case it happens.Rain is another factor that brings concerns during the harvest season, its impact has a strong negative effect on quality, it also delays the harvest.
Currently it has not rained for more than 30 days over the main Arabica Coffee Belt. This is good for maturation and excellent for quality on the first pickings.
The weather pattern seems to be indicating ideal conditions this year, no repeated rain fronts and no dangerous cold fronts for the foreseeable near future.
We will keep you informed as the Brazilian Winter progresses, hopefully, even better quality coffees will arrive into consuming ports by October this year.
We are now seeing our spot inventories sell at a quicker pace so choose your lots and call us for pricing.
