In the verdant hills of Costa Rica, a crisis brews as the nation’s iconic coffee industry faces a bitter blend of challenges in the market year 2024/25. Despite the picturesque landscapes that suggest a haven for coffee cultivation, Costa Rican coffee growers are grappling with labor shortages, unfavorable weather patterns, and an unwelcome economic climate that threatens to steep their yields in uncertainty.
The Beans of Discord: Economic and Environmental Challenges
The USDA Foreign Agriculture Service’s annual report paints a grim picture for Costa Rica’s coffee sector. With approximately 27,000 coffee growers striving to nurture their crops, the country is expected to produce only around 1.185 million 60-kilo bags of coffee this season, mirroring the near-record-low output of the previous year. The challenges are manifold:
- Economic Pressures: A stronger Costa Rican colón against the U.S. dollar is souring the taste of international trade for local growers. The unfavorable exchange rate diminishes the appeal of exporting, as growers fetch less value for their beans on the international market. This financial strain is exacerbated by high indebtedness among farmers and the sting of declining international coffee prices.
- Investment Drought: Faced with tightening budgets, many coffee growers are cutting back on crucial investments. This includes skimping on fertilization and delaying the adoption of higher-yielding, disease-resistant coffee varieties. Such short-term savings may lead to long-term troubles, further endangering the sector’s sustainability.
Weathering the Storm: Climate Challenges Upend Production
The climatic woes for Costa Rica’s coffee industry are as impactful as they are unpredictable. The previous market year saw a 16% decline in production from initial projections due to a series of environmental misfortunes:
- Erratic Weather Patterns: Early and intense rains in March 2023, coupled with higher-than-average temperatures due to El Niño, wreaked havoc on coffee plantations. These conditions led to poor fruit development and a proliferation of fungal diseases, which not only reduced yield but also escalated drying costs.
- Labor Shortages Exacerbated: The availability of coffee pickers, always a critical factor during harvest, was severely disrupted. Issues such as roadblocks in Panama and migration trends from Nicaragua meant that fewer hands were available to pick the beans, compounding the problems brought on by adverse weather.
Domestic Sip: The Local Consumption
On a more positive note, domestic coffee consumption in Costa Rica is projected to rise slightly in 2024/25 to 420,000 bags. This increase is a small silver lining after the dip in demand witnessed during the economic contractions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent inflationary pressures. Recent trends show a resurgence in sales, particularly for lower-priced coffee options, hinting at a gradual recovery in local appetite for the brew.
Global Exports: A Muted Outlook
Despite its storied reputation for quality and environmentally friendly coffee production, Costa Rica’s coffee exports are expected to see only a marginal increase in 2024/25, reaching 975,000 bags. This is a modest uplift from the previous year but represents a 3% decline from two years prior. The lower crop yield and sluggish global sales are dampening prospects, even as the average export price for Costa Rican coffee fell in the last market year.
Policy and Compliance: Navigating New Norms
ICAFE, Costa Rica’s national coffee institute, is spearheading efforts to align with the EU’s deforestation-free legislation, marking a significant step towards sustainability. A pilot program involving 69 growers aims to develop a framework for EUDR compliance, even as uncertainties loom about the enforcement of these new regulations by the EU.
Looking Ahead: Brewing Optimism Amid Challenges
As Costa Rica’s coffee sector navigates these turbulent times, the resilience and innovation of its growers will be paramount. With strategic adjustments and a focus on sustainable practices, there remains hope that Costa Rica can revive its coffee legacy. However, as the current market year shows, the path forward is fraught with challenges that will require both grit and ingenuity to overcome.
