Scientists have indicated that climate change is significantly impacting cocoa production essential for chocolate. Recent heatwaves and erratic weather in West Africa lead to decreased yields, causing cocoa prices to surge. Major chocolate companies are adjusting prices due to these impacts, highlighting the broader implications for farmers and global markets.
Researchers are warning that climate change poses a significant threat to cocoa production, which is vital for the global chocolate supply. Last year, regions in West Africa, including Ivory Coast and Ghana—responsible for approximately 70% of the world’s cacao—experienced severe temperature spikes that affected crop yields. These conditions are leading to increased cocoa prices, exacerbated by multiple stressors such as disease, rainfall variability, and ecosystem degradation.
A report by independent research group Climate Central details the impact of climate change, noting a marked increase in hot weather conditions in major cacao-producing countries. The study utilized observational data and computer models to evaluate temperature trends, revealing that over the past decade, the number of days exceeding optimal temperatures for cacao trees has significantly increased. This trend suggests severe implications for both the quantity and quality of cocoa harvested.
Christian Aid has shed light on the financial vulnerability of cacao farmers due to these climatic changes. They reported that benefits from cocoa cultivation, essential for numerous impoverished communities, are increasingly jeopardized by erratic weather patterns, transitioning from excessive rainfall to drought conditions. Osai Ojigho from Christian Aid emphasized the gravity of circumstances that threaten the livelihoods of these communities, stating, “human-caused climate change is putting that under serious threat.”
Market reactions to failed harvests have led to soaring cocoa prices, reaching unprecedented levels since late 2023. The price of cocoa on New York markets exceeded 10,000 USD per tonne, signaling a significant increase from the historical price range of 2,000 to 3,000 USD. Major companies, such as the Swiss chocolate maker Lindt & Spruengli, are consequently compelled to adjust their pricing strategies in response to escalating cocoa costs.
Experts like Narcisa Pricope from Mississippi State University denote severe drought in cacao regions as an “existential threat” to the crop. Research indicates that human activities, particularly greenhouse gas emissions, have exacerbated arid conditions across the globe. Pricope advocates for collective efforts to combat aridity, underscoring that such actions are essential not only to safeguard chocolate production but also to preserve the planet’s ecological balance.
In conclusion, the dual challenges of climate change and market dynamics present serious threats to cocoa production, impacting both supply and prices. The rising temperatures and erratic weather patterns witnessed in West Africa impose risks on the viability of cacao farming, crucial for many impoverished communities. As industry leaders like Lindt are forced to increase chocolate prices, it exemplifies the far-reaching consequences of climate-related changes on global food systems.
Original Source: www.straitstimes.com
