Coffee could disappear from shelves by 2050, Fairtrade Ireland has warned.
The Irish charity, which sources ethically-labelled products that benefit farmers in third world countries, said coffee, which makes its way into two billion cups worldwide each day, is being severely impacted by climate change.
Most at risk are coffee beans, cocoa and other foods grown in hotter climates which, Fairtrade Ireland has said could become "extremely rare" and "expensive treats" within the next 30 years.
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"We could be looking at the end of the much-loved cup of coffee," said Peter Gaynor, Fairtrade Ireland’s Executive Director.
Mr Gaynor, speaking at Fairtrade Fortnight, a festival of ethically-sourced products at Dublin’s Mansion House, stressed that farmers are experiencing "serious challenges."
He referenced adverse weather events in countries like Kenya, in East Africa, which is currently experiencing its worst drought on-record.
"A worrying 93 per cent of the Fairtrade coffee farmers in Kenya surveyed are already experiencing the effects of climate change," Mr Gaynor added.
Current projections show that half of the land used to farm coffee beans and cocoa may be at risk due to floods, droughts and a sharp rise in temperatures worldwide.
"The coffee fungus La Roya, also known as coffee rust, is also a threat," he explained.
This fungus attacks the leaves of Arabica coffee plants, forming spores that quickly spread and eventually kill all the leaves on the tree, preventing coffee cherries from producing.
He hinted that unless major changes are made, 500 million small farmers responsible for growing popular commodities like tea and coffee, which are harvested throughout the world and then brought to Ireland, could face a stark future.
Mr Gaynor reiterated that ethically-sourced coffee remains incredibly popular in Ireland and commended Irish coffee drinkers for making ethical choices before consuming.
The extra income generated by Fairtrade sales in Ireland in 2022 is expected to total over €2 million, he revealed.
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