Nicaragua Coffee Region Update: 2021 Coffee Production 40% Lower Than Same Period

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Nicaragua's Coffee Industry Devastated by Natural Disasters from 2012-2020

Two natural disasters in the Central American region between 2012 and 2020 exacerbated the already fragile coffee industry in Nicaragua. Following the second natural disaster, some coffee farmers were already experiencing zero income. What lies ahead for them in the future?

Nicaragua Natural Disasters Review (2012-2020)

Between 2012 and 2014, Nicaraguan coffee was ravaged by leaf rust disease, causing the death of over 50% of coffee trees within the country. The surviving coffee trees were affected by higher-than-average temperatures during both years, causing coffee cherries to mature too quickly, which impacted both the total yield and quality.

After the leaf rust disease was brought under control, the government introduced support plans, and growers regained the courage to cultivate a new batch of coffee seedlings. By 2018, these seedlings had finally reached harvestable age. Just when everyone thought Nicaragua's coffee industry was finally showing signs of improvement, two consecutive hurricanes struck the Central American region in November 2020, plunging Nicaraguan coffee into crisis once again.

Although the hurricane struck before Nicaragua's coffee harvest season had begun, prolonged rainfall accelerated the maturation of coffee cherries. Rapid maturation reduced the time available for flavor development, affecting the quality of the final harvest. "Besides affecting the rate of fruit maturation, large quantities of mature fruits were knocked down by strong winds and heavy rain, and coffee leaf rust spread through multiple regions via wind and rainwater." According to local government estimates, in planting areas such as Jinotega, Matagalpa, and Boaco, over 3,400 hectares of coffee farms were damaged by these hurricanes.

Nicaraguan Coffee Production Declined by 40% in 2020/21 Compared to the Same Period

According to the head of the Sopasca cooperative in Nicaragua's northern growing region: farmlands that had long supplied coffee fruits to the cooperative were affected by floods and landslides, resulting in a 10% to 15% reduction in the cooperative's coffee production compared to the same period last year.

According to the Nicaraguan Producers and Exporters Association: from October 2020 to January 2021, Nicaraguan coffee production declined by 40% compared to the same period!

With Coffee Production Destroyed, What Path Forward for Coffee Farmers?

Due to lack of income, some farmers have begun experiencing hunger. The government is encouraging everyone to stay resilient by improving soil, reforesting, and planting more crops to reduce losses from single-crop dependence. Currently, farmers have begun planting other economic crops such as bananas, guavas, and cocoa.

About Cocoa Cultivation

According to local non-profit organizations promoting sustainable development, Nicaragua's average temperature in 2019 was 0.5 to 1 degree Celsius higher than in previous years, and is expected to continue rising. Compared to coffee trees, cocoa trees are like a strong man versus Lin Daiyu (a delicate literary figure).

Cocoa trees have strong adaptability to temperature changes and are not susceptible to coffee leaf rust disease. Both labor requirements and cultivation costs are lower than for coffee trees, and cocoa prices in the market are relatively stable.

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