Red alert! Severe air pollution in Honduras affects the coffee industry

Source:Best Coffee > News Author:qjroot Published:2024-05-09 18:06:09

It is reported that Honduras is the largest producer and exporter of washed Arabica coffee in Central America, but recently the country has experienced reduced production and exports due to issues such as climate change.

The decline in production and exports is mainly due to recent weather changes and severe weather conditions in the country.

According to data, Honduras has currently experienced 1,903 forest fires nationwide, which have engulfed over 150,000 hectares of forest. The smoke from the fires also forced the temporary closure of Toncontín International Airport (Aeropuerto Internacional Toncontín) in the capital, Tegucigalpa.

Therefore, the Secretariat of the National Risk and Emergency Management Office of Honduras recently stated that due to severe air pollution, with the presence of PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 particles in the air, as well as toxic gases such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and ozone produced by vehicle traffic, the dense layer of smog has led to increased temperatures and reduced visibility.

According to Honduras' Environmental Risk Management Agency, air pollution such as smog will continue indefinitely until there is a change in wind direction, atmospheric instability aloft, or the onset of the rainy season, which will bring about a change in conditions.

Moreover, the central region currently suffering the most severe air pollution also encompasses the Conayagua and El Paraiso coffee-growing areas, which account for 16% and 12% of the country’s total coffee production, respectively.

Therefore, data published by the Honduran Coffee Institute (IHCAFE) shows that from October 2023 to March 2024, the country exported 19.32 million 60-kilogram bags of coffee, a decrease of 3.71% compared to the previous year.

Red alert! Severe air pollution in Honduras affects the coffee industry

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