Climate change threatens the future of coffee
By 2050, 50 percent of the areas used for coffee cultivation could disappear. The two largest coffee producers, Brazil and Vietnam, would be particularly affected.
Published: 15.11.2021, 11:51
Will we soon have to give up our daily morning coffee? It is uncertain whether it will turn out that bad. In any case, a study from 2014 indicates that close to 50 percent of the acreage that is suitable for growing the two varieties Arabica and Robusta could disappear by 2050. The price of coffee is also expected to increase. The reason for this is climate change. Although coffee production could move further north in the future, this would have bitter consequences for existing coffee farmers. An estimated 100 million people are involved in coffee production worldwide. Many millions also work in processing and trade. Already today, the working conditions are in some cases precarious. There is a risk that the situation could worsen further.
Global breeding network
Due to climate change, the growing conditions for crops are changing, in some cases drastically. Therefore, new varieties must be bred with properties that, for example, can still be exposed to greater heat and water scarcity. The organization “World Coffee Research” is launching a global breeding network next year with the aim of promoting modern plant breeding technologies in producer countries. Research is also carried out into which newly bred varieties grow best in which environment.
New varieties thanks to genome editing
With genome editing, decaffeinated coffee, which is often unsatisfactory in taste, could be made tastier. In a gfs survey that asked about Swiss consumers’ acceptance of genome editing for various purposes, this probably failed as a “pure lifestyle purpose”. However, applications that make plants more resistant to climate change were very clearly supported by 76 percent.
Related articles
A Contribution Spanning Generations
Food security begins long before the harvest. It begins with varieties that deliver yields, resist diseases and perform reliably under changing environmental conditions.
A Hint to Politicians, Delivered by Test Tube
Switzerland's top science prize goes to a researcher who helped develop the "gene scissors", a technology that has decisively advanced agriculture. While science has long since opened up new possibilities and the EU is moving ahead on regulation, Switzerland continues to dawdle.
Full Shelves – Of course! How Secure Is Our Supply Really?
Security of supply sounds like a shared goal. However, as soon as it comes to the path to get there, conflicts arise: between market and state, ecology and production, as well as self-sufficiency and international connectivity. The Agricultural Policy Podcast and swiss-food.ch explore the key dependencies and areas of tension surrounding supply security in a five-part series. The highlight will be a live podcast in front of an audience on November 5, 2026, at the Äusserer Stand (Hofcafé) in Bern.
Is Organic More Sustainable?
Organic food is considered a prime example of sustainability – but in reality, it often ends up in the waste bin faster than conventional products. The omission of artificial preservatives and modern plant protection drastically shortens shelf life and leads to more food waste.