Brazil's ruined crops fuel global inflation

Brazil, a key producer of global commodities such as orange juice, sugar, coffee, soybeans, and corn, is facing severe agricultural losses due to the worst drought in a century and an unprecedented frost, intensified by climate change. This has led to significant increases in the prices of commodities like Arabica beans, orange juice, and sugar, contributing to a surge in global food inflation. The drought and extreme weather conditions, including deforestation in the Amazon, are expected to result in a 10% drop in crop yields over the next three decades, impacting millions of people and requiring changes in consumer behavior and production practices to ensure sustainability. The article highlights the challenges faced by coffee retailers like Starbucks and Nestlé to secure supplies and the efforts of roasters like Greater Goods Coffee to raise prices to support sustainable agriculture. The small community of Caconde in São Paulo, dependent on coffee for 80% of its economy, is significantly affected by these losses.