Coffee farmers in Vietnam, the world's top robusta producer, face a severe water shortage due to an ongoing heatwave, escalating irrigation needs beyond the norm. Typically, irrigation is used five times per season, but this year, it has been used up to seven times, with an eighth round needed if water reserves permit. The excessive heat and dry conditions have not only depleted water sources but also led to nutrient imbalances in coffee trees and increased pest infestations, further threatening crop yields. The extreme temperatures, reaching up to 44 degrees Celsius, have exacerbated these challenges. Although there is a forecast for rain in May, the immediate concerns of water scarcity and pest control remain pressing issues for these coffee producers. This situation also contributes to the soaring prices of robusta coffee, already elevated by below-average production in previous seasons.
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