Good morning! Cold snap is just the latest in a series of headaches for Brazilian farmers. Bolsonaro sits down with German far-right figurehead. The president issues another pro-gun regulation.
After drought, Brazilian farmers are now feeling a chill
After droughts disrupted soybean production at the turn of the year and sparked a water crisis that could affect irrigation systems, Brazilian farms have another climate event to contend with: a cold snap which could bring about “the harshest winter in Brazilian history,” according to meteorologists.
Why it matters. A polar air mass hit Brazil last week and damaged crops which are highly important for Brazilian trade — especially coffee.
Assessing the damage. Agriculture Minister Tereza Cristina is surveying the losses and will publish the department’s initial estimates within the next few days. On Friday, she flew over the southern portion of Minas Gerais — the biggest coffee-producing region in the country — and promised a plan to aid affected farmers.
Coffee. With up to 70 percent of crops damaged by frost, producers are describing this as the toughest winter in 27 years. The Minas Gerais Agricultural Company (Epamig) estimates 4 million fewer coffee bags for 2022.
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