Yemen: The Future of Drought-Resistant Coffee Amid Climate Change
Dubai, 17 September 2025 (Qahwa World) –Coffee in Yemen has never been just a crop. It is deeply rooted in the nation’s history, culture, and identity. From these rugged mountains and arid landscapes, coffee spread across the seas more than five centuries ago to conquer global markets. Today, as climate volatility poses unprecedented threats to the coffee industry worldwide, Yemen is once again at the centre of attention—not only as the birthplace of coffee but also as a potential leader in producing drought-resistant varieties that could safeguard the sector’s future.
According to the latest DMCC Coffee Centre report, part of its Future of Trade Agri Series, climate change may render half of today’s coffee-growing land unsuitable for production by 2050. Arabica beans, which account for 60–70% of global production and are prized for their superior quality, are the most at risk. They require cooler climates and well-defined wet and dry seasons, making them highly sensitive to even slight shifts in rainfall and temperature.
Robusta, known for its resilience and tolerance to higher temperatures, may also face threats from ongoing climate disruptions. The report highlights that recent years have already offered a preview of this uncertain future. In Vietnam, prolonged drought caused production to fall by 20% and exports by 10% during the 2023/24 season. In Brazil, the world’s largest coffee producer, one of the most severe droughts in its history pushed Arabica prices up by more than 80% in 2024. These are not isolated incidents but warning signs of a shifting climate reality that threatens global supply.
Against this backdrop of instability, the DMCC report underscores Yemen’s exceptional position. For centuries, Yemeni farmers have cultivated coffee under harsh conditions—scorching heat, scarce rainfall, and limited water resources—yet the crop has endured. This historic resilience is what makes Yemen uniquely qualified to lead the development of drought-resistant coffee varieties that could redefine global production.
Garfield Kerr, president of the Speciality Coffee Association (SCA) and founder of Mokha 1450 in Dubai, put it bluntly: “I expect Yemen to become an industry leader in producing drought-resistant coffees, because farmers and agronomists there are already producing coffee in higher temperatures with less water.”
This statement reflects a growing global recognition that Yemen’s traditional practices and harsh realities may hold the key to coffee’s survival in the face of climate change.
The significance of Yemen lies not only in its ability to grow coffee under extreme conditions but also in the potential role it can play in stabilising global supply. If Yemen succeeds in pioneering drought-resistant varieties, it could help reduce the risks facing millions of smallholder farmers across Latin America, Africa, and Asia who are far less equipped to adapt to environmental shocks.
Economically, this advantage positions Yemen to capture new opportunities. With demand for resilient coffee varieties expected to rise, Yemen could evolve from a historically modest producer into a global laboratory for agricultural innovation. Strategic investment in research, farmer training, and international partnerships will be key to transforming this potential into reality.
The report also emphasises that farmers cannot bear the burden of climate adaptation alone. Institutions, trade bodies, and global buyers must work together to foster resilience across the supply chain. Yemen’s experience offers valuable lessons, but scaling them up will require cooperation, knowledge-sharing, and financial backing.
As consumer demand for sustainability and transparency intensifies, regulatory frameworks such as the European Union’s Deforestation Regulation are reshaping access to global markets. For Yemen, aligning with such frameworks could open doors while reinforcing its role as a pioneer in climate-smart coffee production.
Conclusion
The DMCC Coffee Centre report places Yemen firmly back in the global spotlight—not only as the birthplace of coffee but also as a crucial player in shaping its future. At a time when the sector faces escalating risks from droughts, heatwaves, and unpredictable weather, Yemen emerges as a beacon of resilience and possibility.
For the global coffee industry, the message is clear: climate change is already altering production landscapes, and the risks are intensifying. Yet Yemen’s centuries-old experience in cultivating coffee with fewer resources provides hope that adaptation is possible.
If the right investments and collaborations are put in place, Yemen could help secure coffee’s future—not just for itself, but for the millions worldwide whose livelihoods and cultures depend on this extraordinary crop.
