Coffee is becoming more expensive around the world. One of the reasons for this price increase is durian, a fruit famous for its stench.
Coffee prices are breaking records. Economists are calling it a “perfect storm.” Several unusual factors are combining to drive up rates.
The price of unroasted coffee beans has reached a “historically high level”, analyst Judy Ganes told the BBC.
The reasons are many: poor harvests, shortages, climate change and general price increases, especially in labor costs. There is also a more surprising reason behind the increase: durian, the famous stinky fruit.
Brazil is the world’s leading producer of coffee and the largest producer of Arabica. In 2021, frost hit the coffee belt in the heart of Brazil, severely damaging the harvest. Vietnam then stepped into the breach and tried to meet demand with robusta beans. But there too, a prolonged drought put an end to business.
Durian replaces coffee
Faced with this disaster, many Vietnamese farmers began to rely on this strong-smelling yellow fruit rather than coffee. Durian, nicknamed the king of fruits, is so profitable that some farmers earn five times more from the crop than from coffee, as the BBC writes. Thus, coffee exports to Vietnam have fallen by 50% in 2024.
This fruit is particularly popular in China, where it is used for cakes, ice cream and drinks, among other things. The flesh of the fruit is tender and has a sweet and slightly nutty taste.
The Vietnamese durian market has seen strong growth.Image: keystone
Even though other coffee exporters like Colombia, Ethiopia, Peru and Uganda have increased their production, it is not enough to ease the tight market situation. And this is felt in our wallets. The indicative price of coffee, published by the International Coffee Organizationcontinues to climb. It is currently $2.65 per pound. A year ago, it was around $1.50 per pound.
No improvement is in sight for now. Climate change is a major challenge for the global coffee industry. According to a 2022 study, the area devoted to coffee cultivation could decrease by 50% by 2025.
The next harvest will be decisive for the evolution of the market. In Brazil, spring extends from September to December, that is, the European autumn.
But there is more bad news. Rainfall in the region is currently insufficient. If it does not come until October, crop failures are expected again, and pressure on the market will continue. (cst/lak)
Translated and adapted by Noëline Flippe
