Climate change is exacerbating heatwaves in West Africa, a region responsible for 70% of global cacao production, leading to reduced harvests and higher chocolate prices. Researchers say that “climate change, primarily due to burning fossil fuels, is causing hotter temperatures to become more frequent” in countries like Ivory Coast, Ghana, Cameroon, and Nigeria.
A new report by Climate Central analyzed data from 44 cacao-producing areas and found that global heating added three extra weeks of extremely hot temperatures (above 32C) to the main growing season in Ivory Coast and Ghana over the last decade. Last year was the hottest globally on record, with temperatures above 32C on at least 42 days across two-thirds of the analyzed areas.
Excessive heat can lead to reduced crop yields and lower quality harvests. While climate change is a significant contributor, other factors such as mealybug infestations, rainfall patterns, smuggling, and illegal mining also impact cacao production.
The UK charity Christian Aid warns that human-caused climate change is “putting the livelihood of many poor people around the world at serious threat.” New York cocoa prices have risen to over $10,000 a tonne, with Swiss chocolate maker Lindt & Sprüngli set to increase prices again this year due to rising costs.
Experts say the crop faces an “existential threat” largely due to dry conditions in cacao-producing regions. The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification found that more than three-quarters of the Earth’s landmass has become drier over the past 30 years, primarily due to greenhouse gas emissions and practices degrading soils and nature.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/feb/13/climate-crisis-contributing-to-chocolate-market-meltdown-research-finds