Guatemala Declares National Coffee Emergency

Discuss flavors, brew temperatures, blending, and cupping notes.
User avatar
RapidCoffee
Team HB
Posts: 4995
Joined: 18 years ago

#1: Post by RapidCoffee »

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wir ... y-18445643
ABC News wrote:Guatemala's president declared a national emergency Friday over the spread of coffee rust, saying the fungus that has hit other Central American countries is affecting 70 percent of this nation's crop.

President Otto Molina Perez ordered the release of more than $14 million to aid coffee growers. He said the funds would help 60,000 small farmers buy pesticides and also finance instruction to teach them how to prevent the disease and stop it from spreading.

"If we don't take the needed measures, in 2013-2014 our production could drop by 40 percent," Molina said in making his country the third in the region to decree emergencies in recent weeks.

(cont'd)
John

User avatar
Burner0000
Posts: 469
Joined: 12 years ago

#2: Post by Burner0000 »

No way.... :(
Roast it, Grind it, Brew it!.. Enjoy it!..

kboom1
Posts: 120
Joined: 12 years ago

#3: Post by kboom1 »

ohno- less coffee means higher$$

User avatar
ex trahere
Posts: 130
Joined: 13 years ago

#4: Post by ex trahere »

Yikes.
A posse ad esse
______________

User avatar
Marshall
Posts: 3444
Joined: 19 years ago

#5: Post by Marshall »

The leaf rust ("roja") infestation extends far beyond Guatemala and is devastating Central American coffee. It is probably the single biggest crisis currently faced by specialty coffee. Good piece by Peter Giuliano here with links to actions being taken by the coffee industry: http://petergiuliano.tumblr.com (Feb. 16, 2013).
Marshall
Los Angeles

Intrepid510
Posts: 968
Joined: 13 years ago

#6: Post by Intrepid510 »

How bad is this? And is this something that will continue on, you hear this and you think okay it stinks but it'll be okay.

https://store.templecoffee.com/blog/roy ... emala.html

User avatar
Marshall
Posts: 3444
Joined: 19 years ago

#7: Post by Marshall replying to Intrepid510 »

Very bad. More here in Sherman's report from SCAA in Boston and my response: SCAA 2013 Reports
Marshall
Los Angeles

coryforsenate
Posts: 147
Joined: 12 years ago

#8: Post by coryforsenate »

I imagine this is going to hurt organic growers even harder.

User avatar
Marshall
Posts: 3444
Joined: 19 years ago

#9: Post by Marshall replying to coryforsenate »

Definitely. This was specifically addressed at the Boston SCAA Symposium last week. Copper appears to be the most effective fungicide for leaf rust, but is incompatible with organic certification. Affected growers may need to choose between giving up organic certification or giving up coffee.

In the long term, cross-breeding for more disease-resistant (and good-tasting) hybrids is already under way, but will probably take years. A fundamental problem throughout the coffee growing world is an extraordinary lack of genetic diversity in the varieties currently cultivated. Hundreds, if not thousands, of other varieties exist (more in Madagascar than anywhere else!), but few are suitable for a good cup of coffee. The search is under way. See http://worldcoffeeresearch.org/.
Marshall
Los Angeles

espressojr
Supporter ♡
Posts: 151
Joined: 13 years ago

#10: Post by espressojr »

kboom1 wrote:ohno- less coffee means higher$$
I imagine most of us could absorb this without too much of a worry... the coffee growers on the other hand :cry:

Post Reply