How Does Frost Affect Brazilian Coffee Growing Regions?
Brazil's National Institute of Meteorology issued a warning on April 18 that the first cold wave of 2024 would hit, with the South cooling first before the Southeast and Central-West. Curitiba, Rio, Sao Paulo and Vitoria could drop more than 10°C, and frost is forecast in parts of the South, threatening coffee and other crops.
Brazil normally enters winter from June to September, but El Nino pushed the cold earlier this year. A La Nina is expected to form from June to August and last through the second half, bringing less rain and colder weather. Frost damages plant cells, cutting growth, flowering and fruit quality, as a severe 2021 frost showed.
Although Brazil is located in the tropical Southern Hemisphere and normally only enters winter from June to September, influenced by El Niño, this year's winter seems to have arrived early. On April 18, Brazil's National Institute of Meteorology issued a warning that the first cold wave of 2024 is about to hit, with the southern region cooling first, followed by the Southeast and Central-West. Cities such as Curitiba, Rio, São Paulo, and Vitória may see temperature drops exceeding 10°C, and frost is expected in parts of the South. More concerning, meteorological forecasts show that a La Niña phenomenon will form from June to August and persist through the second half of the year, potentially leading to reduced rainfall and colder weather in the Southeast, bringing frost disasters to coffee and other crop-producing regions, threatening both the current season's and future yields. Botanical experts point out that frost damages plant cells, affecting growth and flowering, and reducing fruit quality. In 2021, Brazil suffered severe frost that drove up prices of coffee and other products, and now farmers need to take precautions in advance.
Brazil is located in the Southern Hemisphere, and most of its territory lies in the tropics, so normally winter only begins from June to September each year. However, influenced by the El Niño phenomenon, this year's winter seems to be showing signs of arriving early. On April 18, Brazil's National Institute of Meteorology announced that the first cold wave of 2024 is about to arrive, with the southern region feeling the chill first, after which the cold air will spread to the Southeast and Central regions.
Cities such as Curitiba, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Vitória are expected to see significant cooling, possibly exceeding 10°C, with temperatures potentially dropping to between 10°C and 17°C.
In addition, frost is expected in Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina, and southern Paraná in the South. The meteorological department stated that the cold front causing the upcoming temperature drop is related to an extratropical cyclone, which has already triggered heavy rainfall in the southern region.
According to data from Epagri/Ciram, the agency monitoring weather in Santa Catarina, the morning minimum temperature in Bom Jardim da Serra in the state's mountainous region was only 1.95°C, while Urupema recorded just 2.52°C. Civil defense authorities said frost has already appeared locally. Data shows that minimum temperatures in the Santa Catarina highlands and western high-altitude areas, as well as parts of Paraná, reached 5°C, enough to cause frost, so notices have been issued reminding residents to keep warm and warning farmers to prevent frost damage to crops.
In addition to concerns about recent weather changes, the future climate is equally unsettling. According to the latest forecast from the meteorological bureau's climate prediction center, a La Niña phenomenon will form between June and August and may last throughout the second half of the year.
Brazilian forecasts indicate that the return of La Niña may lead to reduced rainfall and colder weather in the Southeast, while increasing rainfall and humidity in the Northeast. Cold weather will cause sharp temperature drops in coffee and other crop-producing areas, bringing frost disasters that damage coffee and other agricultural output for both the current and future seasons.
Botanical experts point out that during frost, temperatures drop sharply, and water inside plant cells crystallizes into sharp ice crystals that pierce the cell membranes and cell walls, destroying plant cells. This can also harm plants in their dormant period, damaging cell walls and tissue structure, preventing them from growing and flowering normally. Frost can also damage crop fruits, leading to reduced quality, deformation, and cracked skins, ultimately affecting crop yields.
In fact, as early as 2021, Brazil suffered its worst frost in decades, causing enormous damage to coffee, sugarcane, corn, and other crop-producing areas, and driving up the prices of a range of agricultural products including sugar, corn, and coffee. Therefore, the meteorological department has recently issued warnings reminding farmers to take preventive measures.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
