As Easter approaches, both consumers and chocolate manufacturers face the heat from a strained global cocoa supply, with significant impacts on pricing and the livelihoods of African cocoa farmers.
In the lead-up to Easter, both consumers and chocolate producers are facing challenges due to a strained global cocoa supply, significantly impacting prices and the livelihoods of African cocoa farmers. The primary issue stems from lower cocoa yields in West Africa, especially in Ghana and Ivory Coast, which are attributed to changing climate conditions, including dusty Sahara winds and heavy rainfall.
These environmental factors have led to decreased cocoa exports and a notable increase in cocoa prices. This situation is exacerbated during the Easter period, a peak season for chocolate consumption, forcing major chocolate manufacturers like The Hershey Company and Mondelez International to raise the prices of their products. Consequently, popular chocolate brands such as Lindt and Toblerone have either seen price hikes or reductions in the size of their products in the UK.
In response to these challenges, Fairtrade UK is urging consumers to opt for Fairtrade chocolate this Easter. The organization emphasizes the importance of supporting Fairtrade cocoa producers who are guaranteed a fair price for their crops. This initiative aims to address the severe poverty faced by many smallholder farmers in West Africa and promote sustainable farming practices amid climate change and deforestation concerns.
Fairtrade Foundation’s chief executive, Michael Gidney, has highlighted the adverse impacts of climate change on cocoa farmers, noting that rising temperatures and changing weather patterns have led to four consecutive years of crop losses. The Fairtrade minimum price and premium are designed to provide farmers with a safety net, enabling them to cover their production costs and invest in methods to adapt to unpredictable weather conditions.
As chocolate prices witness a 12.6% surge in the UK, surpassing the overall inflation rate for supermarket food and drink, there is an expectation that these price increases may become a longer-term trend. Fairtrade has also shed light on the connection between poverty among cocoa farmers and the deforestation in Ghana and Ivory Coast, advocating for government intervention to support sustainable practices and provide legal and financial backing for compliance with sustainable standards.
