Amid a global coffee crisis fueled by climate change, South Sudan is turning to a hardy coffee variety discovered in the region more than a century ago, Excelsa. The hardy variety is gaining traction as coffee-producing countries face dwindling yields due to unpredictable weather and rising prices.
Experts say major coffee producers such as Brazil, the world’s largest coffee producer, are expected to see a 12% drop in their harvest this year due to ongoing droughts. Aaron Davis, head of coffee research at the Royal Botanic Gardens in London, said many coffee farmers are facing challenges directly linked to climate change.
Native to South Sudan and a few African countries such as Congo, Uganda and the Central African Republic, Excelsa is also cultivated in countries such as India, Indonesia and Vietnam. Its robust characteristics, such as deep roots, thick leaves and large trunks, allow it to thrive in harsh conditions such as heat and drought, making it resistant to many common coffee pests and diseases.
Excelsa makes up less than 1% of the global coffee market, but it has potential as a solution to the industry’s struggles. Experts say the variety will need to be demonstrated on a larger scale to address supply gaps caused by climate change.
Excelsa trees, which can grow up to 15 metres (49 feet), are often pruned for easier harvesting. The coffee produced from them has a sweet flavour with notes of chocolate, dark fruit and hazelnut, and is generally less bitter than Robusta coffee.
Ian Paterson, managing director of Equatoria Teak, a sustainable agroforestry company operating in South Sudan, highlighted Excelsa’s potential and ongoing trials that have shown promising results. With the trees thriving in the extremely hot conditions, Paterson is optimistic about the future of Excelsa production in the region.
Equatoria Teak aims to increase production with local communities, and the first harvests are expected to yield around 7 tonnes of coffee, which will be exported to specialist stores in Europe. Coffee could contribute up to $2 million to the South Sudanese economy by 2027, with major buyers such as Nespresso already showing interest in the product.