Change is brewing in the coffee industry. What lies ahead?

"Due to the effects of climate change, the land suitable for coffee farming could shrink by 50% by 2050, according to a 2014 study. The analysis found that "highly productive areas" in the two largest coffee-producing countries in the world, Brazil and Vietnam, "may become unsuitable for coffee in the future." Much of the coffee in the U.S. comes from Brazil. If you're fond of specialty coffee, it could have come from Colombia, Central America, or Ethiopia."

"Ethiopia, for example, could see a 21% loss of coffee-growing area with warming temperatures, according to researchers. "Climate change, climate change, climate change," is the top problem facing coffee-producing regions, says Sara Morrocchi, the founder and CEO of coffee consulting company Vuna. She works with farmers who face rising temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, floods and droughts. Arabica is the main variety of coffee sold in the U.S. It grows at higher elevations, typically 1,200 meters above sea level or higher."

Tariffs and ongoing pests and diseases are threatening coffee sales and production. A shrinking labor force is reducing farm capacity. Climate change could reduce land suitable for coffee farming by about 50% by 2050. Highly productive areas in Brazil and Vietnam may become unsuitable for coffee. Ethiopia could lose about 21% of its coffee-growing area as temperatures warm. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, floods and droughts are stressing farms. Arabica, the main variety sold in the U.S., grows at higher elevations and is being pushed to even higher mountain sites as lower elevations become unsuitable. Coffee prices and flavor profiles may change.

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