Antioquia coffee production at risk: Fertilizer delays raise long-term concerns

The lack of fertilizers could lead to serious problems in coffee plantations, affecting their ability to produce coffee in the coming years – credit John Jairo Bonilla/EFE

The coffee harvest season in Antioquia is on track to be the most productive in the past 15 years, with development so far uneventful. However, the recent truckers’ strike that affected much of the country has raised alarm in the southwest of the department. The main concern is that the fertilizers needed for the coffee fields have not arrived, putting the future of production at risk.

Although coffee growers and union leaders say the current harvest has not been directly affected by the situation, they are concerned about the long-term impact. The lack of fertilizers could lead to serious problems in coffee plantations, affecting their ability to produce coffee in the coming years.

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Regarding the coffee harvest and the impact of the truckers’ strike, coffee growers said that the blockades had considerable negative effects – credit José Miguel Gómez/REUTERS

Alonso Suárez, representative of Dignidad Cafetera, expressed his growing concern about the critical situation in the Antioquia subregion, where the last cycle of fertilization of coffee plantations is about to begin. The absence of the necessary fertilizers seriously jeopardizes the capacity of the crops to produce coffee in the future. According to Suárez, “There was already a tendency for some fertilizers to become scarce, right at the time of applying the last fertilization before the harvest.”

Regarding the coffee harvest and the impact of the truckers’ strike, coffee growers pointed out that the blockades had considerable negative effects. Among the problems highlighted is the difficulty for many workers to access the coffee fields, which has caused delays in the harvest. This situation not only affects the efficiency of the harvest, but also threatens significant delays in production.

In addition, coffee unions warned of another major complication: the planned closure of the main routes to the southwest of the country. This closure, according to sector leaders, could result in severe economic losses for the coffee industry, further accentuating the difficulties already faced due to the strike that ended last Friday.

In addition, coffee growers’ unions warned of another major complication: the scheduled closure of the main routes to the southwest of the country – credit José Miguel Gómez/REUTERS

• Reduced yield and product quality: Lack of fertilizers directly impacts crop health and yield. The nutrients that fertilizers provide are essential for robust plant growth and fruit production. Without them, crops can experience a significant decrease in the quantity and quality of the harvested product. In the case of coffee, this not only reduces the quantity of beans available for sale, it can also affect quality, decreasing its value on the market.
• Impact on producer income: Lower coffee production and quality means reduced income for producers. These lower incomes can hamper coffee farmers’ ability to cover their operating costs and reinvest in their crops. Decreased income can also affect the financial stability of families who rely on coffee farming as their primary source of livelihood.
• Rising commodity prices: With a lower supply of coffee due to production problems, prices are likely to rise in the market. This increase in prices may benefit producers in the short term, but it can also have adverse effects on consumers and the competitiveness of the sector in international markets. Higher prices can reduce demand, affecting all links in the supply chain.

The decrease in income can also affect the financial stability of families who depend on coffee farming as their main source of livelihood – credit Carlos Ortega/EFE

• Supply chain issues: Lack of fertilizers can cause delays in harvesting and the production cycle in general. These delays not only affect farmers, but can also have a domino effect throughout the supply chain, including middlemen, processors and distributors.
• Soil deterioration and long-term sustainability: Prolonged absence of fertilizers can lead to depletion of soil nutrients. Over time, this can result in less fertile soil and a decrease in agricultural productivity in the long term. Farmers may face increased costs and challenges in restoring soil fertility, affecting the sustainability of agricultural production.