Brazil is not the only country to suffer from unseasonal weather conditions that have wrecked coffee crops. India too has suffered; not from frost, but incessant rain.
In the coffee growing region of Kodagu, the rain hasn’t stopped. November is the coffee picking season, but many farmers say they simply can’t pick the cherries in the current conditions. Even when they are able to harvest some of the crop, the cherries are normally laid out in the sun to dry, but of course, this is not possible now.
Some have tried to dry them inside using wood-burning stoves.
The situation is serious enough that Ministers have been touring the affected areas and, based on reports from inspectors, are providing financial relief to the farmers.
Reportedly, over 2,500 hectares have been affected, and the government says they have already provided over $1.73m as aid, and more funds have been announced, which will be made available over the next couple of weeks.