Over the past year, Cacao prices per metric ton have more than tripled, hitting new record highs. The International Cocoa Organization reports we are experiencing the highest Cacao deficit in 60 years. We are in the midst of a full blown Cacao supply crisis and simply do not have enough Cacao to meet the world’s demand. Why?
Climate change is affecting agriculture in a variety of ways and Cacao is being hit particularly hard. The West African countries Ivory Coast and Ghana account for 60% of the global Cacao supply and are experiencing serious climate related challenges. Overall drier weather conditions are impacting crop yields negatively and heavy rainfall at inappropriate times in the Cacao tree’s blooming process have created widespread diseases, further decreasing yields.
Moreover, due to West African farmers historically being underpaid, they have been unable to invest in maintaining their farms via planting new trees and using healthy fertilizers. As a result, their Cacao trees are older, less resilient and produce less beans. In contrast, Latin American farmers have consistently been able to sell their beans for higher prices and invest in the long-term sustainability of their farms. For example, despite this year's harvest also being smaller in Peru, one of our farmers we visited still had enough resources to plant baby Cacao trees and fertilize their land with an all natural fertilizer. The above picture is of their baby Cacao greenhouse, getting them ready to be planted in the farm!
Sadly, the climate and farming issues impacting Cacao farming countries and especially West Africa are systematic; there is no easy solution. Furthermore, demand for chocolate over the past few decades has doubled. We have less Cacao, but considerably higher demand. That can only send Cacao prices in one direction: upwards.
Even large commercial chocolate companies are feeling the pinch of higher Cacao costs. They are expected to increase their prices, make their bars smaller and/or use alternatives to Cacao. Dark chocolate, which has a higher Cacao content, risks becoming very expensive and unaffordable to many. However, large companies have the resources to survive the supply crisis. Craft chocolatiers and small businesses may not be so lucky. It is quite possible that many will go out of business.
Stay tuned for a blog post on Wednesday detailing how Conscious Cacao is navigating the Cacao supply crisis to ensure we can continue to provide you ethical, high quality Ceremonial Cacao.
Alex Simmons is a Cacao Facilitator and husband of Conscious Cacao's founder, Natalie Simmons. Natalie and Alex offer online group, couples and 1-1 Cacao Ceremonies. Join our mailing list or follow Conscious__Cacao on Instagram to receive notifications of our online group ceremonies. Natalie also offers Akashic Records Readings and distance Reiki. Alex offers spiritual counseling and life coaching with a specialization in the integration of sacred plant medicine experiences and spiritual awakening guidance. You may learn more about their experiences and offerings on the "Offerings" page of this site.
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