Cerrado Coffee Facing More Dryness and Heat

(Bloomberg) -- Most arabica-coffee crops in the Cerrado region of Minas Gerais haven’t had significant rains for as long as three months, while temperatures have been above historical patterns, Somar meteorologist Fabio Luengo says by phone.
• In Patrocinio municipality, no significant rains seen for 96 days while weather models indicate only a few showers by month end
• Temperatures have averaged 32.2 degrees Celsius (90 Farenheit) so far in September, compared with 29-degree historical average
o Maximum temperatures seen reaching 36 degrees as of September 14
• While most Cerrado coffee areas are irrigated, temperatures have risen since August, stressing plants and reducing water reserves for irrigation, Acacio Jose Dianin, a grower in Monte Carmelo municipality says in text message
• South of Minas Gerais and Sao Paulo’s Mogiana have seen a bit more rain, although not enough to retain soil moisture and ease heat, Luengo says
• Temperatures may reach as high as 34 degrees in Alfenas and 36 degrees in Franca, in Sao Paulo, by the end of the week: Somar
• “In general, models indicate only a few showers by both regions only by the end of this month,” Luengo says
• Same pattern expected in robusta-coffee areas in Espirito Santo state
• Intense heat and lack of rain prospects are concerning at this stage as it can cause dehydration of flower buds. The plant is already withering in Mogiana and Cerrado,” Regis Ricco Alves, director at RR Consultoria Rural in Alfenas, Minas Gerais, says in a voice message