What climatic factors influence the growth and development of the coffee plant?

Growing coffee for production is not easy, since it develops best only between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, a band known as the Coffee Belt, at altitudes between 800 and 2,000 meters.

Having productive and healthy coffee plants requires careful attention and dedication—something specialty coffee producers take very seriously.

In this post, we will mention some of the most important factors that support coffee cultivation:

Climate
In coffee-growing regions, the predominant climate is tropical and equatorial, where humidity prevails throughout the year and ranges between 60% and 80%, a factor that enriches the soil where coffee is grown.

Temperature
The optimal temperature range for growing Arabica coffee is between 18 and 22°C, while for Robusta it is between 22 and 26°C.
In cold climates, where temperatures are below 18°C, coffee varieties develop less and yields are lower.
In warm climates, where the average temperature is above 25°C, the crop can be more easily affected by pests.

Rainfall
The appropriate amount of rainfall for cultivation is between 1,500 and 2,000 millimeters per year, about 125 millimeters per month.
Excessive rainfall can easily harm coffee flowering.

Sun exposure
The recommended amount is 1,800 hours of sunshine per year. It is advisable not to exceed this, as too much sun could harm the plant’s growth and speed up fruit ripening—something negative for quality coffee.

Shade
Growing under trees is recommended, as they protect the crop from solar radiation during the dry season and help add organic matter to the soil, significantly improving microbial life in the soil. Shade also reduces the effects of strong wind and possible adversities such as hail.

With the arrival of climate change, many of the factors mentioned above may be altered. That is why everyone involved in the coffee supply chain must do their part so that we can continue to have favorable climatic conditions and enjoy coffee that remains unchanged and is cultivated as it has been for many years.