BUSINESS

Global warming looms large over coffee growers

By Commodity Online
April 16, 2007 13:32 IST

Coffee is bound to fall prey to global warming n the near future. According to research studies and experts, global warming will take a heavy toll on coffee plantations across the globe.

Experts say that global warming is going to present coffee growers with a big challenge in the years to come.

According to a United Nations Environment Programme research project in Uganda, a rise in temperatures of about 2 degrees Celsius would mean a dramatic reduction in the coffee growing area with producers moving to higher regions where there is less suitable land.

In India, the report said, rising temperatures and reduced rainfall would have a detrimental impact on Coorg coffee region due to a drop in the number of bees to fertilise the trees and an increased threat from a destructive pest -

white stem borer.

Whether or not some coffee regions eventually fade away is anyone's guess, but one thing is certain - coffee farmers by and large are a tenacious breed because often enough they have no other viable sources of earning a living, the report added.

In the market, Robusta coffee futures ended slightly higher in London on Wednesday, lifted by trade buying with volume boosted by rolling forward of positions out of the front month. Benchmark May finished up $7 at $1,544 a tonne after trading in a range of $1,545 to $1,535.

Dealers said the market was supported by gains in New York Arabica futures amid signs that the US market may be bottoming out after recent weakness.

Commodity Online

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