15 Jul 2024 --- Nestlé plant scientists and agronomists have developed a high-yield Arabica coffee variety, Star 4, with characteristic notes of Brazilian coffee. The innovation comes in light of climate change modeling predictions that land suitable for growing Arabica coffee might be reduced by over 50% by 2050 as water shortages significantly impact yields.
The product is important for the coffee industry, since Arabica — which accounts for nearly 70% of global coffee production — has a lower tolerance to rising temperatures and is more susceptible to disease than other coffee plants, such as Robusta.