A cold front rolling over Brazil's south-east coffee belt is causing widespread rains, meteorologist Somar said Monday, a sign that the first major flowing of trees may be in store.
"The arrival of a cold front brought more widespread rains .... to the coffee producing regions, including some regions in Parana and south-west Sao Paulo which had not received good rains," Somar said in a daily coffee weather report.
Parana and southern Sao Paulo got between 53 millimeters and 97 mm over the weekend and should see more rains early this week. The main coffee region of Sao Paulo further to the north, which only saw minor showers over the weekend, is positioned to see stronger rain Monday.
Somar added that widespread rains are also forecast for Minas Gerais on Monday, which accounts for about half of Brazil's coffee output.
Brazilian coffee trees are just coming out of the colder dry period from June through August and typically begin flowering for the new crop when rains return accompanied by warmer temperatures.