Climate Change Devastates West African Cocoa Crops, Threatens Livelihoods and Raises Chocolate Prices

Extreme heatwaves and drought caused by climate change have severely damaged cocoa crops in West Africa, cutting yields and causing cocoa prices to soar.

The heatwaves were made 10 times more likely due to human-caused emissions, according to researchers.

In addition to heat, excessive rain and flooding late last year enabled disease to spread and damage crops.

Chocolate makers like Cadbury and Hershey have warned of imminent price rises passed on to consumers as cocoa costs more than double.

The livelihoods of the estimated 2 million smallholder cocoa farmers in West Africa are threatened by climate change impacts.