Dropping pellets in coffee requires preventive management

Coffee crops in Brazil are going through a period of natural adjustments. The "drop of the pods" phase, common in the production cycle, has been more intense this year due to the prolonged drought and high temperatures recorded in 2024. Although the phenomenon is part of the natural development of coffee, the climatic conditions have required greater attention from producers to minimize losses and prepare the plants for the next cycles. 

The drop of the plumes occurs between 80 and 100 days after flowering, usually between December and February, as a form of self-regulation of the plant, eliminating fruits that cannot be sustained. However, factors such as defoliation and water stress intensified the process this year. 

According to Marcelo Jordão, an agricultural engineer and researcher at the Procafé Foundation, the current scenario demands extra attention. "Plants that have faced severe drought and high temperatures have fewer leaves, which reduces photosynthesis and carbohydrate reserves. This directly affects the ability to support the fruits," he explains. Jordão also points out that larger fruits, from the first blooms, end up becoming preferential energy drains, increasing the drop in the younger fruits. 

Opportunity for preventive managementAlthough the impact on the 2025 harvest is already being felt, experts point out that adequate management and preventive actions can ensure the recovery of plants and prepare the ground for the next production cycle. "It is essential that producers assess crop conditions and adjust management strategically, also thinking about the 2026 harvest", reinforces Jordão.The current context reinforces the need for investments in practices that promote plant resilience, such as continuous monitoring and adequate nutritional and water management. Despite the challenges imposed by climate change, the coffee sector continues to demonstrate its capacity to adapt and overcome.