How Climate Change is Affecting Cocoa Production

Cocoa, the vital ingredient in chocolate, is at increasing risk due to climate change. Cocoa production is already facing numerous challenges, including disease, pests, and fluctuating market prices. However, one of the most significant and growing threats is the impact of climate change. The delicate cacao tree, which produces cocoa beans, is particularly vulnerable to changes in temperature, rainfall patterns, and extreme weather events. This has severe consequences not only for cocoa farmers but for global chocolate supply chains and sustainability efforts.

The Sensitivity of Cocoa Trees to Climate

Cacao trees are highly sensitive to changes in their environment. They thrive in tropical climates with consistent temperatures between 20°C and 30°C (68°F and 86°F), high humidity, and regular rainfall. Cacao is traditionally grown within a narrow band around the equator, primarily in regions of West Africa, Southeast Asia, and Central and South America. However, climate change is altering the conditions that have supported cocoa farming for centuries, posing a serious threat to its future.

As temperatures rise globally, farmers are experiencing unpredictable weather patterns that disrupt the ideal conditions needed for cacao cultivation. Prolonged periods of drought, followed by excessive rainfall or flooding, are becoming more common, which reduces crop yields and threatens the overall health of cacao trees. These shifts also contribute to the spread of diseases and pests, further damaging cocoa production.

Shifting Growing Regions and Yield Declines

Research has shown that by 2050, climate change could cause a 20% reduction in cocoa yields. According to a study by the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), West Africa could lose 50% of its current cocoa-producing regions by 2050 if temperature rises continue unchecked. Cocoa farmers in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, which together account for more than 70% of global cocoa production, are already experiencing shifts in growing conditions. This includes a reduction in the area suitable for cocoa farming due to temperature increases and irregular rainfall.

Rising temperatures cause cacao trees to produce fewer flowers, leading to lower bean production. In addition, higher temperatures accelerate the maturation of cacao beans, which can affect their quality. Overheated beans may be prone to fermentation problems, reducing the overall yield and flavor profile of the chocolate produced.

While cacao trees can tolerate a degree of temperature change, research suggests that if temperatures exceed 32°C (90°F), the trees’ productivity significantly declines. This temperature threshold is increasingly being surpassed in traditional growing regions, especially during dry spells or heat waves.

Changes in Rainfall and Extreme Weather Events

Rainfall patterns are also becoming more erratic. Cocoa trees rely on a delicate balance of wet and dry seasons to thrive. In many cocoa-growing regions, unpredictable rainfall is disrupting this balance, leading to long periods of drought followed by intense, flooding rainfall. Prolonged droughts stress the cacao trees, making them more susceptible to diseases and pests. Excessive rainfall, on the other hand, promotes the growth of fungal infections like black pod disease, which devastates cacao crops.

Extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and floods, have also increased in frequency and severity due to climate change. These events can cause immediate and widespread destruction of cocoa farms, ruining crops and infrastructure and displacing local communities. In 2017, Hurricane Maria devastated cocoa farms in the Caribbean, damaging over 50% of the region’s crops.

Impact on Farmers and Livelihoods

The effects of climate change on cocoa production are particularly detrimental to smallholder farmers, who make up the majority of cocoa growers globally. These farmers are already vulnerable due to low income, limited access to technology, and lack of infrastructure. As climate change continues to affect cocoa yields, farmers are facing diminishing returns, which threatens their livelihoods. This, in turn, has social implications, as cocoa farming is often the primary source of income for millions of people in cocoa-growing regions.

For instance, in Côte d’Ivoire, the world’s largest cocoa producer, approximately 3 million people depend on cocoa farming for their livelihood. As climate change reduces cocoa yields and increases production costs, these farmers are left with fewer resources to cope with the changes. The prospect of declining crop productivity pushes many young farmers to abandon cocoa farming for more sustainable or profitable careers, exacerbating the region’s labor shortage in the cocoa sector.

Mitigating the Effects of Climate Change on Cocoa Production

Efforts are being made to help cocoa farmers adapt to the changing climate. One of the key strategies is promoting sustainable and climate-resilient farming practices. For example, agroforestry techniques, which involve planting cacao trees alongside other crops and trees, can help improve soil quality, reduce water loss, and provide shade to protect cacao trees from excessive heat.

Additionally, the introduction of drought-resistant cocoa varieties and better pest management practices can help farmers weather climate challenges. Organizations like the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) and Fair Trade International are working to support farmers by providing resources, training, and access to climate-smart cocoa varieties that are more resilient to the changing environment.

In addition, industry players like Mars, Nestlé, and Hershey are investing in sustainable cocoa-sourcing practices to support climate change adaptation. With the livelihoods of millions of farmers at stake, it is crucial to implement sustainable farming practices, invest in climate-resilient crops, and support initiatives that protect both the environment and cocoa farmers. Without decisive action, the cocoa industry—and our beloved chocolate—could face significant challenges in the years ahead.

Sources:

• International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT). “How Climate Change Is Impacting Cocoa Production.” 2018. www.ciat.cgiar.org
• World Cocoa Foundation (WCF). “Cocoa and Climate Change: Global Challenges and Solutions.” www.worldcocoafoundation.org
• Fair Trade International. “Cocoa and Climate Change.” www.fairtrade.net