Cocoa farms heavily depend on consistent precipitation and moderate temperatures, yet climate change has rendered weather conditions in recent years highly erratic for growers.
Rising temperatures and erratic precipitation trends are leading to significant drops in yield, while an increasing number of cocoa farms are becoming susceptible to pest infestations and diseases.
According to data from the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Nigeria ranks as the seventh largest global producer of cocoa beans, with an output of approximately 280,000 tons in 2023.
The array of difficulties confronting cocoa cultivation in Nigeria—from climate shifts and pest outbreaks to economic hardships and inadequate infrastructure—calls for immediate intervention. Ensuring long-term prosperity and sustaining Nigeria’s position in the international cocoa sector requires all parties involved to implement eco-friendly strategies, enhance financial resources, and integrate advanced agritech solutions such as digital tracking systems and blockchain technology. By tackling these issues directly, Nigeria has the potential to foster an environment wherein cocoa producers flourish, output expands, and trade continues to rise, thus enriching both individual growers and the overall economy, according to TraceX, a platform specializing in sustainability and regulatory adherence within food and agriculture supply networks.
Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State while speaking at a two-day National Cocoa Stakeholders' Workshop and Excellence Award Ceremony organised by the Cocoa Association of Nigeria (CAN), in Akure on Wednesday, also highlighted key challenges, including environmental degradation driven by climate change, inefficient market systems, aging farms, and lack of data for informed decision-making.
To tackle these issues, we need to collaborate in developing creative answers, utilize technology effectively, and advocate for eco-friendly methods. It’s crucial not to fall behind in the worldwide cocoa supply chain,” emphasized the governor.
Specialists suggested that embracing climate-resilient agricultural techniques could assist farmers in adapting and boosting their output.
A few of the suggested methods involve growing shade trees next to cocoa plants to shield them from intense heat and enhance soil quality.
Alternative methods involve employing drip irrigation along with rainwater harvesting to maintain a consistent water source.
TraceX mentioned that by implementing these methods, farmers can boost production levels and make their agricultural operations better equipped to handle climate changes.
Falling yields led to increasing costs.
Cocoa prices have risen 400 percent in recent years as study shows climate change made the 2023 heatwave in West Africa 10 times more likely.
For chocolate companies, demand is surging in an unprecedented record.
'It's a nightmare, I don't think any business involved in chocolate has avoided this impact, and it's all down to climate change,' Andy Soden of Kernow Chocolate, said.
Data recently released by the research organization 'Climate Central' indicates that in 2024, anthropogenic climate change contributed an additional six weeks of days with temperatures exceeding 32°C in 71% of regions where cacao is grown in countries such as Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Cameroon, and Nigeria—temperatures unsuitable for cocoa cultivation.
According to a fresh report from the international aid organization Christian Aid, increasing temperatures and unpredictable precipitation have severely impacted cocoa production in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire—countries responsible for over half of worldwide cocoa output. These conditions have led to reduced cocoa supplies globally, causing prices to reach unprecedented levels in recent years as well as resulting in smaller chocolate bar sizes across the globe.
The report titled "Crisis in Cocoa: Climate Change Hits Chocolate Production" highlighted that this year’s cocoa deficit mirrors a significant drop in output from the previous year. This earlier decline caused cocoa prices to soar fourfold up to $12,218 a ton due to extreme weather conditions such as droughts and flooding along with climate-induced plant diseases affecting cocoa growers. By December 18, 2024, an all-time peak price of $12,605 per ton was recorded, and these elevated costs persist today.
The cocoa deficit began in 2023 due to unusually intense rainfalls during Ghana’s typically dry period. In Western Africa, total rainfall exceeded twice the historical average for that timeframe, leading to widespread plant decay from black pod disease. Subsequently, a harsh drought struck in 2024. According to the United Nations, this drought impacted over one million individuals in Ghana, causing substantial agricultural damage and driving up food costs to unprecedented levels.
A study conducted by World Weather Attribution found that climate change increased the likelihood of the heatwave in West Africa by tenfold.
Climate change experts react
The director of the Nairobi-based climate and energy think tank, Power Shift Africa, Mohamed Adow, noted that "Africa accounts for over half of the world’s cocoa production and thus serves as the powerhouse of the international chocolate sector. Nonetheless, climate change is wreaking havoc among cocoa producers across the continent, leading to erratic periods of drought and increasing temperatures in recent years, which have severely impacted numerous farmers. Research indicates that the 2023 heatwave in West Africa, which devastated cocoa crops, was up to ten times more probable because of human-induced climate change."
This is merely an illustration of how African ways of life are being jeopardized by severe weather conditions triggered by carbon emissions. Therefore, it’s crucial to accelerate the deployment of clean, renewable energy sources and provide more focused financial assistance to African farmers so they can better adjust," he stated.
Ibrahima Coulibaly, who leads ROPPA—an organization representing numerous cocoa farmers across West Africa—expressed concern that years of insufficient investment and inequitable trading practices have left these farmers extremely susceptible to the effects of climate change.
Governments should collaborate with and support farmers and their organizations. Providing greater direct access to climate funds for these farmer groups would allow us to expand environmentally friendly methods—like tree planting to shield cocoa pods—which are crucial for adapting to changing conditions. Additionally, ensuring farmers receive a fair income for their cocoa will enable them to reinvest in their land,” he noted.
Osai Ojigho, who leads policy and public campaigns at Christian Aid, has urged for steps to reduce emissions along with dedicated climate funding specifically aimed at supporting cocoa farmers.
'Growing cocoa is a vital livelihood for many of the poorest people around the world and human caused climate change is putting that under serious threat. Chocolate is one of the many products that connects consumers in the global north with growers in the global south. Likewise, climate change, driven largely by the greenhouse gas emissions of the global north is causing havoc around the world with cocoa farmers bearing the brunt. We need to see emissions cut, and targeted climate finance going to cocoa growers to help them adapt,' she said.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).
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