Brazilian coffee farmers are increasingly turning to costly irrigation systems to combat severe droughts and meet soaring global demand, as climate change disrupts traditional rain-dependent cultivation. While industrial-scale farms in regions like Bahia thrive with advanced irrigation, water scarcity in traditional growing areas like Minas Gerais threatens yields, exacerbating a global coffee shortage that has driven prices to record highs.
Key Developments:
Industrial-Scale Irrigation: Farms in Bahia’s savanna, such as Rodrigo Brondani’s 900-hectare Joha plantation, use pivot irrigation to achieve 80 bags/hectare yields (double Brazil’s average). These systems, while costly, are becoming critical as drought frequency rises.
Water Scarcity Crisis: In Minas Gerais, groundwater levels have plummeted, forcing farmers to drill 300-meter-deep wells—a risky and expensive endeavor. Some municipalities restricted irrigation in 2024, slashing output for smallholders.
Global Supply Deficit: The world has consumed 12.5 million bags more coffee than produced since 2022, pushing 2025 prices up 25% after a 70% surge in 2024. Major brands like Starbucks and Nestlé have raised retail prices.
Challenges & Innovations:
High Costs: Central pivot irrigation systems cost
263,000 each,while drip irrigation runs 6,991/hectare—prohibitively expensive for small farmers. Cooxupe, Brazil’s largest coffee co-op, partners with Israel’s Netafim to offer financing via future coffee sales.
Environmental Strain: Bahia’s Urucuia aquifer, a key water source, lost 31 cubic km of water (2002–2021) due to agricultural overuse. Researchers warn of “super exploitation” as irrigated area could triple to 1 million hectares.
Market Impact:
Price Volatility: Arabica futures hit $4.40/lb in February 2025, straining global supply chains. Farmers are depleting reserves to meet demand.
Shift to New Frontiers: Western Bahia, with its shallow aquifer, has become a hotspot for corporate farms like AFB&IOB, which prioritizes water access when acquiring land.