As coffee lovers enjoy their morning cup, they may soon face the reality of potential price hikes for their beloved lattes. A prolonged drought in Vietnam, one of the top producers of robusta coffee beans, is driving this concern.
Robusta coffee futures have surged to a 16-year high due to adverse weather conditions in Vietnam's coffee-growing regions. Both Vietnam and Brazil, the leading producers of robusta beans, are dealing with climate challenges, impacting their harvests and supply.
Vietnam, accounting for over a third of global robusta coffee production, is significantly affected by the current crisis. The El Niño-induced drought has disrupted coffee farming, leading to lower yields and market volatility. Vietnamese farmers are holding onto their coffee beans, expecting higher prices, further limiting supply.
The supply shortage is already being felt, with a forecasted 20% decline in Vietnam's coffee exports compared to the previous year. Up to 13% of this year's harvest is being withheld from the market by Vietnamese farmers, exacerbating the supply crunch.
These developments have global repercussions, as rising incomes in Asia increase coffee consumption. While the recent surge in coffee prices may take time to impact consumers, it suggests potential future price increases for coffee enthusiasts.
Although the cost of beloved coffee drinks may remain stable for now, global coffee market dynamics indicate the possibility of higher prices in the near future, as climate-related challenges continue to disrupt production worldwide.
