Cocoa Crisis: Climate Change Endangers Chocolate Production
The cocoa industry is under severe threat from climate change, leading to a 400% spike in cocoa prices due to extreme weather conditions that hinder crop production. This trend, marked by rising temperatures and erratic rainfall, jeopardizes the livelihoods of cocoa farmers in key producing regions. Immediate action and support for sustainable practices are essential to address this escalating crisis affecting both producers and consumers globally.
The cocoa industry is facing substantial threats due to climate change, leading to a dramatic increase in cocoa prices which have risen 400% in recent years. This surge follows a study indicating that climate change has made heatwaves in West Africa, a major cocoa-producing region, ten times more likely. These conditions exacerbate the existing challenges for cocoa growers and chocolate manufacturers alike.
In 2024, climate change resulted in an additional six weeks of extremely high temperatures, particularly over 32°C, affecting 71% of cacao-producing areas in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Cameroon, and Nigeria. Such heat is detrimental to cocoa cultivation, making it increasingly difficult for farmers to maintain viable crops. Consequently, this has led to unprecedented price levels for cocoa globally.
Christian Aid has issued a warning regarding the cocoa crisis, emphasizing the risk to both the chocolate supply chain and the livelihoods dependent on it. Their findings highlight that erratic weather patterns, such as increased rainfall followed by severe droughts, have severely impacted cocoa harvests in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, responsible for over 50% of the world’s cocoa production.
As a result of these climatic shifts, cocoa prices have consistently remained high, with record prices recently reaching $12,605 per ton. The cocoa shortages initially began in 2023 and have compounded with adverse weather conditions, affecting farmers and the global market. The report further indicates that climate change’s influence has worsened existing agricultural vulnerabilities.
Osai Ojigho from Christian Aid remarked on the impact of climate change, stating, “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.”
Recommendations from the charity include a call for targeted climate finance to assist cocoa growers in adaptation efforts. Further, significant actors in the chocolate industry such as Andy Soden of Kernow Chocolate reiterated that businesses are feeling the weight of these climate-related impacts, with supply issues leading to inflated market prices that threaten the sustainability of smaller operations.
Amelia, a cocoa grower, voiced her concerns, citing how climate change has devastated her crops, saying, “My plantations have been dying due to the lack of water.” In another similar plight, Aurelia noted, “Climate change has been killing our crops. This means there is no income because we cannot sell anything,” underscoring the profound human cost of these environmental changes.
In conclusion, the cocoa industry faces urgent challenges driven by climate change, leading to rising prices and diminishing crop yields. The intertwined fates of cocoa producers and consumers necessitate immediate action to address environmental impacts and ensure the sustainability of chocolate production. Without decisive intervention, the future of cocoa cultivation and the livelihoods it supports remain precarious.
The cocoa industry is significantly impacted by climate change, evidenced by soaring cocoa prices and dwindling harvests. This crisis affects not only the livelihood of cocoa farmers in West Africa but also the global chocolate market. Immediate and strategic actions, including climate finance and sustainable practices, are crucial to address these challenges and support both producers and consumers in maintaining the cocoa supply chain.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
