Taking too long? Close loading screen.

Mother Nature Turns The Volume Down in Nicaragua



March 27, 2020

 3 Minute Read

Juan Antonio Gómez
Country Manager Nicaragua

The Nicaragua harvest started on the right track in October 2019 when our buying station located in La Concordia, Jinotega opened its doors to coffee growers delivering their initial lots of wet parchment. By the end of December, our team had dried around 211,780 kg of parchment coffee, and the first container set sail to Australia before New Year’s Eve.

Over the first three weeks of 2020, however, the scenario changed quickly due to weather-related complications. First, we noticed a significant decrease in volume as compared to the same point last year, and well below what we originally projected. This shortfall stemmed from a lack of rain combined with temperature stress that affected coffee trees during the second half of 2019 and had significant consequences to the cherry development phase which took place between June and September 2019 especially in Nueva Segovia. During the coffee cycle, plants need on average 1,400 millimeters of rain. However, Jinotega recorded 1,800 millimeters vs 950 in Nueva Segovia in 2019. In this phase, coffee cherries require of a significant amount of water to develop properly and for beans to fill in the cherry. This, however, caused a higher rate of empty coffee beans with lower density, quakers, lower quality grades and higher volumes of off-grades for producers; consequently, triggering a significant shortage of the higher quality grades (AA and above).

These were the effects on the plant due to lack of water and temperature effects:

Immature beans affected by drought, water stress, rust disease, and lack of fertilization

Shrunk beans affected by drought conditions and lack of fertilization

Compounding this, unexpected heavy rains during the peak harvest period in January 2020 caused cherries to fall. Overripe coffee cherries that didn’t fall were prone to natural fermentation, increasing possibility of ferment or mold in the cup. By the fourth week of January, the weather whiplash continued as the ripe cherries experienced higher exposure to sunlight and heat, causing the cherries to dry and split on the trees, affecting again not only yields but overall quality and via susceptibility to mold and outside bacteria. We estimate that on average coffee farmers in Nicaragua lost 25% to 30% of their harvest, with Jinotega being the most affected region.

Rain effect after the 4th week of January.

We’re also seeing a higher incidence of coffee berry borer (CBB) in coffees produced in Mozonte and Dipilto, areas where this threat used to be rare. Despite PECA team efforts on sharing best practices to control this pest, producers didn’t expect it and didn’t act on time. This demonstrated the importance of implementing more preventive methods and practices rather than reactive ones.

Insect damage: green coffee defects caused by Hypothenemus hampei or coffee berry borer

On top of the issues dealt by Mother Nature, the labor force has been limited this harvest. The harvest peak in Jinotega occurred at the same time as the harvest peak in Madriz and farms located in areas less than 1200 m.a.s.l, leading to increased competition for farm workers. Labor constraints have worsened since 2018 when the country faced political turmoil as well as lack of financing, affecting producers’ ability to access credit for production.

Throughout the harvest, we have closely monitored wet parchment deliveries and purchases. We were forced to close our purchasing station in La Concordia, Jinotega in the 2nd week of March, as most of the coffee delivered cupped below RTB grade. We’re still receiving coffee at La Estrella drying station in Nueva Segovia until the first week of April while we keep on working at full speed on milling and shipments.

It has been a challenging harvest for both producers and our team in Nicaragua; we’ve seen considerable time and investment lost due to climatic factors and the country’s political instability, elements that are beyond our control. Despite the challenges faced this harvest, we will continue working together with Nicaraguan coffee producers to continue improving the quality of their coffee. We encourage you, our partners, to continue supporting Nicaragua and building upon the considerable gains in quality and community we’re proud to have witnessed over the last six years.



***

Juan Antonio Gómez
He is a Mechanical Engineer with Masters' degree in Water Engineering, Renewable Energies and Business Management. He has been working with Caravela for the last 15 months, starting off as Nicaragua’s Operational Director and now he is the Country Manager. Juan Antonio previously worked carrying out operational activities in the manufacturing, food, energy, and government sectors. He is passionate about continued learning and self-improvement, as well as creating a respectful working environment.

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Was this interesting? Grab a coffee and pick another from the articles below
Agroforestry For the Planet: The Impact of Shade-Grown Coffee

Agroforestry For the Planet: The Impact of Shade-Grown Coffee

What Makes a B Corp a Different Kind of Business?

What Makes a B Corp a Different Kind of Business?

Sustainability: The Sextant of Our Navigation

Sustainability: The Sextant of Our Navigation

Taking Coffee Education Program to the Next Level

Taking Coffee Education Program to the Next Level

Learning from 2021 and Reflecting on the Future of Coffee

Learning from 2021 and Reflecting on the Future of Coffee

Cost Of Production Spotlight: Price Spikes ≠ Higher Incomes

Cost Of Production Spotlight: Price Spikes ≠ Higher Incomes

Receiving Coffee, Delivering Resilience

Receiving Coffee, Delivering Resilience

Recognizing Producers’ Commitment to Excellence in El Salvador

Recognizing Producers’ Commitment to Excellence in El Salvador

The Sum of Small Actions: PECA contributes to the reduction of GHG’s

The Sum of Small Actions: PECA contributes to the reduction of GHG’s

A Pivotal Moment for Specialty Coffee

A Pivotal Moment for Specialty Coffee

Long Distances, Long Histories: Getting Close to Coffee in Oaxaca

Long Distances, Long Histories: Getting Close to Coffee in Oaxaca

We are Best for the World 2021!

We are Best for the World 2021!

Transparent Teamwork with Local Cooperatives

Transparent Teamwork with Local Cooperatives

Planning Ahead: As bad as it sounds?

Planning Ahead: As bad as it sounds?

Growing and Thriving with Guatemalan Farmers

Growing and Thriving with Guatemalan Farmers

An Update on Colombia’s Ongoing Crisis

An Update on Colombia’s Ongoing Crisis

Mastering the Learning Loop in Peru

Mastering the Learning Loop in Peru

Supply Chain Hurricane: Weathering a perfect logistical storm in 2021

Supply Chain Hurricane: Weathering a perfect logistical storm in 2021

Making the Coffee World More Sustainable

Making the Coffee World More Sustainable

A Familiar Face Returns: William Ortiz at the helm of Colombia/Ecuador

A Familiar Face Returns: William Ortiz at the helm of Colombia/Ecuador

Cause and Effectiveness: Increasing Impact with the Sustainable Development Initiative

Cause and Effectiveness: Increasing Impact with the Sustainable Development Initiative

Shifting Calendars, Shifting Harvests

Shifting Calendars, Shifting Harvests

Third-Party Verification that Leads to Action

Third-Party Verification that Leads to Action

‘Milds’ Intrigue: The Price Quandry Facing Farmers

‘Milds’ Intrigue: The Price Quandry Facing Farmers

Guiding Farms in the Right Direction

Guiding Farms in the Right Direction

Our Best Coffee is Our People

Our Best Coffee is Our People

What’s Brewing in the Coffee Industry: Lessons Learned and What to Look Forward in 2021

What’s Brewing in the Coffee Industry: Lessons Learned and What to Look Forward in 2021

Why Add Yeast ?

Why Add Yeast ?

Polar Promise in Las Palmas: A Case Study of North Star’s El Salvador Origin Project

Polar Promise in Las Palmas: A Case Study of North Star’s El Salvador Origin Project

Peru 2020: Rising Up From Lockdown

Peru 2020: Rising Up From Lockdown

Traditional Varieties in Latin America

Traditional Varieties in Latin America

Ecuador 2020: Making Our Way in the Middle

Ecuador 2020: Making Our Way in the Middle

Climate Neutral Caravela 2025: Steady Steps Towards a More Sustainable Future

Climate Neutral Caravela 2025: Steady Steps Towards a More Sustainable Future

A Primer on Transparency + Traceability Part II

A Primer on Transparency + Traceability Part II

A Primer on Transparency + Traceability Part I

A Primer on Transparency + Traceability Part I

How to Create a Specialty Coffee Line to Attract Commercial Coffee Drinkers Into The Specialty Coffee World? Part II

How to Create a Specialty Coffee Line to Attract Commercial Coffee Drinkers Into The Specialty Coffee World? Part II

How to Create a Specialty Coffee Line to Attract Commercial Coffee Drinkers Into The Specialty Coffee World?

How to Create a Specialty Coffee Line to Attract Commercial Coffee Drinkers Into The Specialty Coffee World?

A Take on Long-standing Relationships: Hasbean and Pedro Claros

A Take on Long-standing Relationships: Hasbean and Pedro Claros

Futures Contracts: What, Why, How  Part Three: Futures 103 How Hedging Works

Futures Contracts: What, Why, How Part Three: Futures 103 How Hedging Works

Futures Contracts: What, Why, How Part Two: Futures 102

Futures Contracts: What, Why, How Part Two: Futures 102

Futures Contracts: What, Why, How Part One: Futures 101

Futures Contracts: What, Why, How Part One: Futures 101

Grade Expectations: Finding Versatility and Value in A and AA Coffees

Grade Expectations: Finding Versatility and Value in A and AA Coffees

A Presentation on Cost of Production In Latin America

A Presentation on Cost of Production In Latin America

Meso-American Producer Survey: The Pandemic Will Leave Long-Lasting Scars

Meso-American Producer Survey: The Pandemic Will Leave Long-Lasting Scars

Invisible Barriers for Moving Coffee

Invisible Barriers for Moving Coffee

Caravela at 20: The Journey is Only Getting Started

Caravela at 20: The Journey is Only Getting Started

Certifiably Awesome: Passion and Persistence Turn Promise into Parchment in Mexico

Certifiably Awesome: Passion and Persistence Turn Promise into Parchment in Mexico

Harvest Arrives, Along with a Pandemic

Harvest Arrives, Along with a Pandemic

Minga From Field To Filter: Coffee Reacts and Adapts to the Covid Era

Minga From Field To Filter: Coffee Reacts and Adapts to the Covid Era

Mother Nature Turns The Volume Down in Nicaragua

Mother Nature Turns The Volume Down in Nicaragua

LOTSA Potential: The Long-Term Supply Agreement as a Tool for Financial Stability and Building Relationships

LOTSA Potential: The Long-Term Supply Agreement as a Tool for Financial Stability and Building Relationships

Progress in a Picture-Perfect Coffee Setting

Progress in a Picture-Perfect Coffee Setting

The Price and Value of Consistency

The Price and Value of Consistency

Looking Back and Leaping Forward

Looking Back and Leaping Forward

Womxn-Powered Coffee: Why It Matters

Womxn-Powered Coffee: Why It Matters

Behind the Scenes in Peruvian Coffee

Behind the Scenes in Peruvian Coffee

Unpoppable Opportunities for the Future

Unpoppable Opportunities for the Future

Equipping the Equipo: Playing to win in Guatemala and El Salvador

Equipping the Equipo: Playing to win in Guatemala and El Salvador

Agronomy to Keep the Microlots Coming

Agronomy to Keep the Microlots Coming

Evolution in a Land of Revolution

Evolution in a Land of Revolution

Cupping as Meditation

Cupping as Meditation

Origin Revelations

Origin Revelations

Avoiding the Poverty Trap: Choosing Stories Instead of Emotional Marketing

Avoiding the Poverty Trap: Choosing Stories Instead of Emotional Marketing

I’ve Bean Everywhere, Man

I’ve Bean Everywhere, Man

Have Yourself a Mara Little Christmas

Have Yourself a Mara Little Christmas

All Roads Lead to Coffee

All Roads Lead to Coffee

How Coffee can Complement Food

How Coffee can Complement Food

Building Projects at Origin

Building Projects at Origin

Coffee: Culture or Business?

Coffee: Culture or Business?

Café: ¿Cultura o Negocio?

Café: ¿Cultura o Negocio?

A Study on Costs of Production in Latin America

A Study on Costs of Production in Latin America

Fermentation Experiments in Nicaragua – How We Managed to Go from RTB to AAA

Fermentation Experiments in Nicaragua – How We Managed to Go from RTB to AAA

Constantly Adapting to Change

Constantly Adapting to Change

Mind the Gap: A Growing Gray Area Between Market and Production

Mind the Gap: A Growing Gray Area Between Market and Production

Embracing Technology to Create New Pathways in Coffee

Embracing Technology to Create New Pathways in Coffee

Forward Contracting to Secure Quality, Quantity and Relationships

Forward Contracting to Secure Quality, Quantity and Relationships

Caravela Sponsors Seven Small-holder Coffee Producers to attend the Producer and Roaster Forum in Guatemala

Caravela Sponsors Seven Small-holder Coffee Producers to attend the Producer and Roaster Forum in Guatemala

Colombian Specialty Coffee Scene. A Perspective from Café Quindío

Colombian Specialty Coffee Scene. A Perspective from Café Quindío

Coffee Sampling  Increases Farmers Profitability Opportunities

Coffee Sampling Increases Farmers Profitability Opportunities

Caravela From a Newcomer’s View

Caravela From a Newcomer’s View

Water Activity: Predictive insights Changing Processes and Profits

Water Activity: Predictive insights Changing Processes and Profits

Blending Experience with Passion in Mesoamerica

Blending Experience with Passion in Mesoamerica

Coffee in Galapagos: Evolving To Thrive

Coffee in Galapagos: Evolving To Thrive

What Traceability Offers Farmers

What Traceability Offers Farmers

The Specialty Coffee Transaction Guide – Setting the Bar on Prices

The Specialty Coffee Transaction Guide – Setting the Bar on Prices

A Tale of Two Customers: Caravela Coffee and the Rethinking of the Coffee Import Model

A Tale of Two Customers: Caravela Coffee and the Rethinking of the Coffee Import Model

Arriving at a price

Arriving at a price

Rich Farmer, Poor Farmer

Rich Farmer, Poor Farmer

Low Prices, Risky Times

Low Prices, Risky Times

Making it Work as Well as it Can

Making it Work as Well as it Can

Discovering the Source

Discovering the Source

A Mutual Evolution: Caravela Nicaragua’s William Ortiz, on helping people grow coffee, and how coffee helps people grow

A Mutual Evolution: Caravela Nicaragua’s William Ortiz, on helping people grow coffee, and how coffee helps people grow

The High Price of Getting the Best from Ecuador

The High Price of Getting the Best from Ecuador

Victims of Exchanging Currencies – Who Should Take on this Risk?

Victims of Exchanging Currencies – Who Should Take on this Risk?

A Pilgrimage to the Future

A Pilgrimage to the Future

Why We’re Investing in World Coffee Research?

Why We’re Investing in World Coffee Research?

The Making of a Champion

The Making of a Champion

Peru, an Unpolished Diamond in Coffee Production

Peru, an Unpolished Diamond in Coffee Production

Investing in Education: Investing in People

Investing in Education: Investing in People

How Roasters Can Influence the Supply Chain

How Roasters Can Influence the Supply Chain

Aromas: More than Just a Coffee Competition

Aromas: More than Just a Coffee Competition

FOB vs. EXW – Two Buying/Shipping Methods for Your Green Coffee

FOB vs. EXW – Two Buying/Shipping Methods for Your Green Coffee

Sample Roasting vs. Profile Roasting

Sample Roasting vs. Profile Roasting

How to Keep Records of your Costs of Production?

How to Keep Records of your Costs of Production?

Why and How to Estimate Costs of Production in a Coffee Farm?

Why and How to Estimate Costs of Production in a Coffee Farm?

Supply Chain Logistics – The Clockwork of Coffee

Supply Chain Logistics – The Clockwork of Coffee

Forecasting Green Coffee Purchasing

Forecasting Green Coffee Purchasing

What is specialty Coffee

What is specialty Coffee

Drying in Peru: the Final Step in Quality Improvement

Drying in Peru: the Final Step in Quality Improvement

FOB vs: EXW – Two Buying/Shipping Methods for Your Green Coffee

FOB vs: EXW – Two Buying/Shipping Methods for Your Green Coffee

When is it time to harvest?

When is it time to harvest?

Just In Time Inventory

Just In Time Inventory

Spectrum Purchasing and How it Impacts Sustainability

Spectrum Purchasing and How it Impacts Sustainability

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Translate »

Pin It on Pinterest

Share

Share this content with your coffee community!