Frost Hits Coffee Plantations in the Cerrado Mineiro, Raising Concerns Among Producers

Projection of the cold front followed by a warm air mass.

A strong cold front swept through the Cerrado Mineiro over the weekend, bringing frost to several coffee-growing areas. According to MetSul Meteorology, seven Brazilian states recorded below-freezing temperatures on Sunday (10), with the southern region of Minas Gerais reaching more than 7 °C below zero. The sudden drop in temperatures near the end of the harvest cycle may cause significant damage to coffee plantations, especially younger and more vulnerable areas.

Ice crust over coffee plantation in Ibiá, Minas Gerais

The phenomenon occurred due to a continental polar air mass, which also brought snowfall to parts of southern Brazil. Forecasts indicate that another cold air incursion, this time with a maritime trajectory, will reach the Center-South region later this week, keeping mornings frosty. Afterwards, the weather pattern is expected to shift dramatically, with temperatures well above average and even intense heat in the second half of August.

Technical teams in the region are currently assessing the extent of the damage caused by the frost. In previous years, severe cold events at this stage of the agricultural calendar have affected not only the current crop’s yield but also productivity in the following season. The sector remains on alert for potential impacts on the market and the supply of Brazilian coffee.

Source: MetSul