Chocolate lovers may soon find their favourite treat harder to buy.
Scientists say climate change is making it more difficult to grow cacao, the plant used to make cocoa, chocolate’s main ingredient. As a result, chocolate is becoming more expensive and could be less available in the future.
A study by US research group Climate Central found that rising temperatures in major cocoa-producing countries, like Ghana and Ivory Coast, are harming cacao trees. Over the past decade, excessive heat has made it too hot for cacao to grow for at least three weeks each year. The hotter weather reduces the amount and quality of cocoa beans farmers can harvest.
A separate report by UK charity Christian Aid explains how climate change is also affecting the farmers who grow cacao. The report says burning oil, coal, and methane gas is causing global temperatures to rise, making extreme heat more common. Cacao plants struggle to survive when temperatures go above 32°C, and in 2023—the hottest year on record—parts of West Africa had at least 42 days above this limit.
West Africa produces more than half of the world’s chocolate supply. With fewer cacao beans available, cocoa prices rose by 136% between July 2022 and February 2024. In addition to extreme heat, increased rainfall and insect infestations have made growing cacao even harder.
