Chocolate may soon become an unaffordable luxury for many
- Extreme weather in Ghana and the Ivory Coast has severely affected cacao plants, leading to rising cocoa bean prices.
- Large manufacturers have increased their prices, but smaller chocolatiers are struggling to cope with the increased production costs.
- If poor harvests continue, chocolate may become viewed as a rare and expensive luxury.
In recent months, extreme weather conditions in Ghana and the Ivory Coast, which produce two-thirds of the world's cocoa, have led to significant devastation of cacao plants. These climate-related challenges have resulted in the price of cocoa beans more than doubling in the past year, significantly impacting the chocolate industry. While major chocolate manufacturers like Cadbury and Nestlé have been able to raise their prices accordingly, smaller chocolatiers are facing critical challenges in maintaining their business operations amid rising costs. Chococo, a small chocolatier, has raised concerns about the unsustainability of chocolate production if poor harvests continue. The company emphasizes the need for a shift in consumer perception about chocolate, advocating for chocolate to be seen as a precious and labor-intensive product, similar to wine or coffee. The cultivation process for cacao is intricate, requiring careful management of temperature and rainfall, and is limited to a specific geographical region known as the