Archive · 31 May 2025
Climate Change Disrupts Cocoa Industry and Global Economy
Imagine chocolate comes from cocoa beans, a big business worth billions!
But, climate change is making it hard to grow cocoa.
In West Africa, where a lot of cocoa grows, it’s getting hotter and drier, causing the harvest to shrink.
This means fewer beans, higher prices, and not enough workers.
Plus, there are issues with farmers being exploited.
Things may get worse as there are artificial ways to make chocolate.
The future of chocolate is unclear.
The article discusses disruptions in the cocoa industry due to climate change.
The cocoa industry is valued at $15.2 billion.
Declining crop yields and labour shortages impact the market.
The future of chocolate is uncertain due to environmental and economic factors.
The episode was part of The Climate Economy series, exploring economic impacts of climate change.
- Who
- Kunal Shankar explores the issues in 'The Climate Economy'.
- What
- Climate change is disrupting the $15.2 billion cocoa industry.
- When
- The episode was published on May 31, 2025.
- Where
- West Africa.
- Why
- Climate change, droughts, exploitation of farmers, and synthetic substitutes threaten cocoa.
- Primary Region
- West Africa
- Cocoa Industry Value
- $15.2 billion
- Publication Date
- May 31, 2025
- Episode Title
- The Climate Economy