The global coffee industry is facing a crisis. Arabica beans, the world’s most popular coffee crop, have seen a staggering 75% price increase in just five years, driven by prolonged droughts in Brazil, flooding in Vietnam, and growing geopolitical tensions.

As extreme weather events fueled by climate change continue to disrupt traditional coffee-producing regions, the search for climate-resilient alternatives is intensifying.

One promising contender is excelsa, a coffee variety native to South Sudan. With its deep roots, thick leathery leaves, and sturdy trunk, excelsa has long thrived in the arid conditions that are becoming more common worldwide. 

As climate change accelerates, this once-overlooked species is gaining international attention for its ability to withstand drought, heat, and pests—threats that are increasingly imperilling arabica and robusta crops.

A climate-resilient alternative to a struggling industry

Excelsa coffee has existed in South Sudan for over a century, but only recently has it begun to emerge as a viable solution to the coffee industry’s climate-related woes. Unlike its more famous counterparts, excelsa can endure extreme environmental conditions, making it a potential safeguard against future disruptions in global supply chains.

Inundated with drought, Brazil, the world’s largest coffee producer, is estimated to see a 12% drop in harvests this year alone. Vietnam, the second-largest supplier, also suffered catastrophic flooding in 2024, further reducing available coffee stock. These developments have pushed industry experts to explore new frontiers. 

South Sudan, with its untapped potential, could be poised to make an impact on the global coffee stage. While the east-central African nation does not have the historical coffee reputation of neighbours like Ethiopia or Uganda, it does have a long-forgotten coffee legacy. 

Under British colonial rule, the country once cultivated arabica and robusta, but prolonged conflict and political instability largely erased this industry. 

Now, excelsa presents an opportunity not just for economic growth but for local farmers seeking financial independence.

Experts estimate that by 2027, excelsa coffee could inject at least $2 million into South Sudan’s economy. However, scaling up production will not be easy. The country faces significant infrastructural and logistical hurdles. Transporting coffee from remote regions to international markets requires navigating poor road networks, insecure trade routes, and costly export fees. 

Unending unrest stands in the way of excelsa’s progress

South Sudan has the potential to play a crucial role in the future of climate-resistant coffee, particularly through scaling up excelsa production. If successful, this could offer farmers a sustainable livelihood while contributing to the stability of the global coffee market. 

However, long-term political and economic stability remains a critical factor. To unlock this opportunity, investments in infrastructure, processing, and farmer education are essential.

Despite a 2018 peace deal that officially ended South Sudan’s civil war, pockets of conflict remain. The country’s Western Equatoria region, a key coffee-growing area, is particularly unstable following recent political tensions. 

Investors are wary of putting money into a country where governance remains fragile and infrastructure is underdeveloped.

Still, the potential rewards are significant. Coffee experts, including researchers at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, London, have studied excelsa for nearly a decade and believe it could be a game-changer. 

Unlike robusta, excelsa produces a sweeter, more aromatic cup with notes of chocolate, dark fruits, and hazelnuts, which is similar to arabica but with less bitterness. This unique flavour profile, combined with its climate resilience, makes it an attractive option for speciality coffee markets.

Beyond being a cash crop, excelsa coffee embodies resilience and adaptation in a changing climate. But can South Sudan overcome its challenges to harness this potential? Will collaboration between farmers, investors, and policymakers be enough to establish a thriving coffee industry? And ultimately, could this be a model for other climate-vulnerable regions looking for sustainable economic growth?