HISTORY TEACHES THAT EL NINO CROP CONCERNS SHOULD NOT BE OVERPLAYED

摘要

The central and eastern Pacific Ocean has begun warming up, signalling the return of El Nino, the climate phenomenon that develops every few years and can play havoc with traditional weather patterns and crop development around the world by disruptingtrade wind and raipfall distribution (see BOX). Coffee traders will be anxiously watching thl progress of the developing event which is pretty convincingly jinked to drought in parts of Asia-and much wetter weather than; usual along the Pacific coast of South America as a strong one is often reason for concern about its potential to damage crops in some parts of the world, although experts say that the risk should not be exaggerated.