Climate change is significantly impacting cacao production in West Africa, leading to crop failures and record-high cocoa prices. A report indicates that rising temperatures and erratic weather patterns are endangering harvests, particularly in the region that produces 70% of the world’s cacao. Urgent action is needed to address these challenges and protect the livelihood of farmers and the chocolate industry.
Recent climate change has severely impacted cacao harvests in West African countries, crucial for global chocolate supply. Farmers are facing extreme heat, diseases, and erratic rainfall, leading to reduced production and skyrocketing cocoa prices. A report by Climate Central attributes these climatic shifts to the emissions from oil, coal, and methane gas, highlighting the urgency of the situation in Ivory Coast and Ghana, the leading cacao producers, which account for approximately 70% of global production.
The study utilized data from 44 cacao-growing regions to compare current temperatures with historical data from a hypothetical climate-unaffected scenario. It noted that temperatures exceeding 32 degrees Celsius—which is detrimental to cacao trees—had increased by three weeks per decade in these regions during the growing season. In 2023, a particularly hot year, such temperatures were recorded for over 42 days across two-thirds of the studied areas, posing a real threat to both quality and quantity of cocoa harvests.
Additional factors impacting cacao production include mealybug infestations, changing rainfall patterns, and challenges related to illegal activities such as mining. Christian Aid’s research, released concurrently, focused on the vulnerability of cacao farmers to climatic extremes and the severe consequences for local livelihoods, citing the drastic changes between severe rainfall and drought conditions in recent years.
The surge in cocoa prices is attributed to failed harvests exacerbated by climate-related challenges. Prices on the New York market exceeded $10,000 per tonne recently, reflecting dramatic price hikes compared to the historical range of $2,000 to $3,000 per tonne over previous decades. Companies like Lindt & Spruengli have responded by raising chocolate prices to accommodate these new costs.
Experts, including Mississippi State University’s Narcisa Pricope, warn of an existential threat to cacao production due to increasingly dry conditions affecting growing regions. Recent findings suggest that over 75% of Earth’s land is experiencing aridity, largely driven by greenhouse gas emissions. The call to action emphasizes that addressing these environmental challenges transcends preserving chocolate; it is vital for sustaining the planet’s habitability.
In summary, the fusion of climate change impacts has intensified the vulnerability of cacao production, threatening both the availability and affordability of chocolate. As temperatures rise and extreme weather becomes more frequent, solutions and mitigative actions are urgently needed to combat this existential threat to global chocolate supplies and the livelihoods reliant on cacao farming.
Original Source: www.straitstimes.com
