Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 and Coffee ☕

⭕️During the colonial era, Sri Lanka, with its ideal terrain and climate was originally chosen for coffee farming. However, after the devastating impact of Coffee Rust Disease, the country shifted its focus to tea.

Today, with the revival of the coffee industry, Sri Lanka is making a comeback, cultivating both Arabica and Robusta coffee varieties.

Optimal Conditions for Coffee Cultivation in Sri Lanka 🇱🇰

Coffee primarily has two domain varieties: Arabica and Robusta. Optimal conditions for the two varieties slightly vary.

☀️ Annual Average Temperatures Between 18°C and 24°C

- Arabica thrives between 18°C and 24°C, while Robusta is more heat-tolerant, with optimal temperatures ranging from 20°C to 30°C. This makes Robusta suitable for lower elevations and slightly warmer regions.

🌧️ Rainfall: Annual Rainfall of 1500-2750mm

- In Sri Lanka, the rainfall range of 1500-2750mm is considered optimal for Arabica cultivation (Sri Lankan Department of Export Agriculture, 2024). This contrasts with regional and global ranges of suitable annual rainfall, which include 1700-5000mm.

🌡️ Minimum Air Temperature Exceeding 15°C in January

- January minimum temperatures above 15°C are crucial to prevent the Coffee Leaf Rust (CLR) epidemic, which peaks in May-July. Lower temperatures in January reduce the likelihood of CLR outbreaks and the need for chemical control, particularly safeguarding Robusta varieties.

Source: @mdfglobal’s https://t.co/mSwR0YrrEa