Coffee Price Surge Fails to Lift Spirits in Kerala

Despite rising coffee prices, farmers in Kerala, including those in regions like Wayanad and Nilgiri, are feeling disheartened. The escalating prices, driven by a rapidly increasing market, are not compensating for the adverse effects of intense heat. Farmers are particularly concerned about the negative impact this weather will have on their future crops.

Drought Conditions Stress Coffee Crops

Typically, coffee plants depend on February's summer rains to bloom. However, the absence of rainfall this February has plunged farmers into despair. The majority of coffee-growing areas in Kerala missed these crucial rains, leaving many without the necessary water for their crops. Only a few coffee growers have irrigation systems installed, leaving most reliant on increasingly unpredictable rainfall.

Continuous Price Increases Linked to Crop Shortages

The ongoing price increases are largely attributed to the weakened crop yields. Amidst this low production, competition among major companies to purchase coffee intensifies, pushing prices higher. The farm gate price for robusta coffee, projected to hit 70,000 tonnes in Kerala's 2022-23 annual production, recorded more than $2,69 per kg on April 29, 2024. Yet, farmers remain worried and unenthusiastic about these price hikes.

Expert Insights on Climate Impact and Production Challenges

George Daniel, Deputy Director at the Regional Coffee Research Station in Chundel, highlighted that the lack of summer rains and rising temperatures could severely impact next year's coffee production. He noted that the effects of 'El Niño' are evident, causing sporadic light rain and partial flowering. However, consistent rains are absent, and only those with sufficient irrigation resources can manage during this critical period as water sources are near depletion.

Future Concerns and Rainfall Deficits

Experts believe the full extent of this crisis will be clearer by the end of June when the coffee fruits are due to ripen. They anticipate a potential decline in production across several districts in Kerala. A local coffee plantation owner reported that there has been no rain at all this year in the coffee belt. With water storage facilities also drying up, leaving them dependent on future rains. According to data from the Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS) at Ambalavayal under Kerala Agricultural University, rainfall from January to March 2024 totaled only 29.3 mm, compared to 115.5 mm, 149.5 mm, and 139.7 mm in the previous three years, further illustrating the severity of the drought conditions.