Approaching Typhoon Kalmaegi Threatens Vietnam's Key Coffee Region – CoffeeTalk

Typhoon Kalmaegi is moving towards the Vietnamese coast with destructive winds and is expected to bring heavy rainfall to key coffee-growing regions, which may adversely affect the new crop. The typhoon, located 330 kilometers (205 miles) east-southeast of Quy Nhon, is projected to make landfall late Thursday or early Friday, with sustained winds potentially reaching 204 kilometers per hour—comparable to a strong Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale. The storm has already caused significant damage in the Philippines.

As Vietnam’s coffee farmers began harvesting last month, the anticipated torrential rain in the Central Highlands poses a threat to coffee plants and bean quality. This year, Vietnam is expected to produce its best robusta crop in four years, but the impending storm may cause delays in harvesting and result in damage due to wind and flooding, as noted by meteorologist Brandon Fox from Vaisala. The futures market reacted, with prices rallying amid concerns over the storm’s impact.

So far in 2023, Vietnam has faced 12 major storms, resulting in at least 241 fatalities and economic losses exceeding 53.8 trillion dong ($2 billion). The Vietnamese weather bureau forecasts that some areas between Danang and Dak Lak province could see rainfall totals reaching 600 millimeters (24 inches) from Kalmaegi through Friday.

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