Climate change is adversely affecting cocoa cultivation, leading to increased chocolate prices and availability concerns. Research indicates that rising temperatures disrupt the growth of cacao plants, particularly in major producing regions like Ghana and the Ivory Coast. This situation also endangers the livelihoods of cocoa farmers, emphasizing the need for climate action to support this critical industry.
Climate change is increasingly impacting the cocoa industry, resulting in higher chocolate prices and potential shortages in the future. The US-based research group Climate Central has indicated that the cultivation of cocoa, the primary ingredient in chocolate, is becoming more challenging due to rising temperatures. Furthermore, a separate report by the UK charity Christian Aid highlights the detrimental effects of climate change on the farmers who cultivate these essential plants.
Climate Central conducted a decade-long study measuring temperatures in major cocoa-producing regions, finding that excessive heat can inhibit the growth of cacao trees for a duration of three weeks annually. The study emphasizes that significantly high temperatures can diminish both the harvest yield and quality. These findings coincide with Christian Aid’s report, which examines the broader implications of climate change on global chocolate crops.
Cacao, native to South and Central America, now thrives primarily in West Africa, comprising over half of global chocolate production, predominantly from Ghana and the Ivory Coast. With climate change attributed to the burning of fossil fuels, the frequency of excessively hot temperatures is increasingly detrimental to cacao plants, which cannot survive temperatures over 32 degrees Celsius (89.6 degrees Fahrenheit).
The report indicates that, over the last ten years, cocoa-producing regions experienced an additional three weeks of extreme heat during the growing season from October to March. In 2023, the hottest year recorded globally, temperatures exceeded 32 degrees Celsius on at least 42 days across a significant portion of the surveyed regions, including Ghana and Ivory Coast.
With diminished crop yields, cocoa bean prices surged by 136% from July 2022 to February 2024, partly attributed to climate-related factors. Compounding issues such as increased rainfall and insect infestations further threaten production. The rising cocoa prices adversely affect the farmers who rely on this industry, particularly in regions where they struggle to cope with economic insecurity.
Osai Ojigho, director of policy and public campaigns at Christian Aid, remarked, “Growing cocoa is a vital livelihood for many of the poorest people around the world and human caused climate change is putting that under serious threat.” This underscores the urgent need to address climate change to safeguard both global chocolate availability and the well-being of vulnerable populations dependent on cocoa production.
In summary, climate change poses significant challenges to cocoa production, leading to heightened chocolate prices and potential scarcity in the future. The detrimental impacts of rising temperatures not only threaten the quality and quantity of cocoa harvests but also endanger the livelihoods of farmers who depend on this vital crop. Addressing the consequences of human-induced climate change is essential for ensuring the sustainability of cocoa production and supporting those who rely on it.
Original Source: www.bbc.co.uk
