Summary
Chocolate prices have been affected by climate issues like heat and drought, impacting cocoa production in major regions like the Ivory Coast and Ghana. This has caused price fluctuations and reveals the vulnerability of the cocoa industry to environmental changes. There are suggestions to improve the situation through sustainable farming that includes reintroducing trees to cocoa farms.
Key Facts
- Cocoa production is highly dependent on rainfall and grown mainly in tropical regions.
- The Ivory Coast and Ghana produce nearly 60% of the world's cocoa.
- Climate extremes in 2024 led to a 300% increase in cocoa prices due to reduced harvests.
- Deforestation for cocoa farming threatens soil health and climate resilience.
- Growing cocoa with shade trees can improve conditions and support biodiversity.
- Climate change is expected to change the suitable areas for cocoa farming, potentially reducing them by a third to half in key zones.
- Sustainable practices could stabilize cocoa supply and improve quality, benefitting farmers.
