Seasonal dusty winds from the Sahara have been severe in recent months, blocking out the sunlight needed for cocoa bean pods to grow in west Africa. Heavy rainfall in the previous season has also spread a rotting disease among cacao trees.
Now, the cost of chocolate could soar after changing climate patterns hit cocoa supplies in west Africa.
In the previous season, heavy rainfall spread a rotting disease among the cacao trees, which produce cocoa, the main ingredient in chocolate.
The global price of cocoa has risen sharply as exports from the Ivory Coast, the world’s largest producer, fell by a third in recent months.
But farmers who harvest cocoa beans have raised concerns the increases are not enough to cover their higher production costs and lower yields, which many blame on climate change.
Read more from Sky News:Do not eat a whole Easter egg in one go, NHS doctor urgesEnergy bills projected to fall by less than expected this summer and autumnDrivers are still paying over the odds for fuel, competition watchdog fears
However, in times of shortage the system breaks down, with local dealers paying farmers a premium price to secure beans.
The original article contains 499 words, the summary contains 153 words. Saved 69%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!
Read more from Sky News:Do not eat a whole Easter egg in one go, NHS doctor urgesEnergy bills projected to fall by less than expected this summer and autumnDrivers are still paying over the odds for fuel, competition watchdog fears
I absolutely hate this about articles on modern news webpages.
This is the best summary I could come up with:
Now, the cost of chocolate could soar after changing climate patterns hit cocoa supplies in west Africa.
In the previous season, heavy rainfall spread a rotting disease among the cacao trees, which produce cocoa, the main ingredient in chocolate.
The global price of cocoa has risen sharply as exports from the Ivory Coast, the world’s largest producer, fell by a third in recent months.
But farmers who harvest cocoa beans have raised concerns the increases are not enough to cover their higher production costs and lower yields, which many blame on climate change.
Read more from Sky News:Do not eat a whole Easter egg in one go, NHS doctor urgesEnergy bills projected to fall by less than expected this summer and autumnDrivers are still paying over the odds for fuel, competition watchdog fears
However, in times of shortage the system breaks down, with local dealers paying farmers a premium price to secure beans.
The original article contains 499 words, the summary contains 153 words. Saved 69%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!
I absolutely hate this about articles on modern news webpages.