The World's Coffee Supply May Be In Danger Because Of Climate Change

There's no denying that coffee is a popular and delicious beverage — people around the world drink so much of it. However, with the number of coffee drinkers on the rise, the world's supply of beans might be compromised because of climate change.

Brazil, the world's largest coffee grower and exporter of coffee beans, will have to produce 40 to 50 million bags over the next decade to keep up with demand.

According to Bloomberg, the biggest threat to coffee production is climate change. Last year, Brazil's crop was affected by a drought that drove prices up. In turn, there was a shortage of 6.4 million bags during 2014. Arabica beans, the most popular variety of coffee, must be cultivated between 59 °F and 75 °F. Rising temperatures, heavy frost, and flooding ruin these crops.

Michael R. Neumann, chairman of board of trustees at Hanns R. Neumann Stifung — a foundation affiliated with Neumann Kaffee Gruppe in Hamburg, Germany — told Bloomberg he predicts that global coffee consumption with increase to 200 million bags by 2030.

Coffee beans are mainly cultivated in Central America, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region, and popular brands like Starbucks, Illy, and Dunkin' Donuts use arabica beans.