How smallholder coffee farmers are navigating climate change

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🗞️ Driving the news: Smallholder coffee farmers are facing severe climate challenges, including rising temperatures and erratic weather, threatening both crop quality and livelihoods
• Fairtrade cooperatives are supporting these farmers with sustainable practices, climate adaptation, and a Minimum Price safety net
• As 50% of current coffee-growing land may become unsuitable by 2050, innovative strategies are critical to securing the future of coffee production

🔭 The context: Global coffee prices surged in 2024 due to extreme weather in key producing nations like Brazil and Vietnam, highlighting the vulnerability of coffee crops to climate change
• While price increases can seem beneficial, rising production costs and market volatility often negate these gains for farmers
• Smallholder farms, producing 60% of the world’s coffee, remain less mechanized and more sustainable than large-scale plantations

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Sustainable coffee farming helps combat deforestation and reduces energy use, while agroforestry and Fairtrade initiatives improve resilience against climate shocks
• Ensuring coffee's sustainability protects biodiversity and supports millions dependent on the industry globally

⏭️ What's next: Fairtrade cooperatives are investing in climate-resilient farming practices, including testing heat-resistant coffee varieties and expanding conservation areas
• Continued consumer support for Fairtrade products can drive more equitable and sustainable farming worldwide

💬 One quote: “With Fairtrade we have a choice. I can produce high-quality coffee, not just focus on producing more and more to feed my family.” — Silvia Herrera, Fairtrade coffee farmer in Mexico

📈 One stat: By 2050, 50% of the land currently used for coffee farming may no longer be suitable due to climate change

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