Chocolate shortage looming, says Divine
Fairtrade chocolate company Divine has responded to the recent warnings that the supply of cocoa for chocolate could run out, and argues that increasing farmer remuneration for cocoa is key to a sustainable future for chocolate.
Recent research undertaken by Divine demonstrates that consumers support this view, with 67% believing farmers should be paid more for their cocoa.
Research carried out by Barry Callebaut and Mars, as well as a recent report by Hardman Agribusiness highlight the risk of cocoa demand outstripping supply in the near future, with the corresponding risk of a shortage of chocolate much covered in the national press.
The reasons identified are the growth in new markets for chocolate such as India, China and Brazil, and the low productivity of existing cocoa farms particularly in West Africa where the bulk of cocoa comes from.
Divine Chocolate points to poverty as the key problem impacting on the future of cocoa farming. Sophi Tranchell, managing director at Divine Chocolate, says, “Cocoa farmers are not generating enough income on which to live, look after their families and invest properly in their farms. They don’t earn enough to invest in new trees, farming training, diversification, and equipment to improve the productivity and longevity of their farms – resulting in poor yields, precarious livelihoods, and a future generation who can see little to attract them to a future in cocoa farming.
“The sustainable future of chocolate depends on farmers seeing a viable future in cocoa farming – and that means securing a reliable income for their cocoa which will cover food, education and everything they need for their families, but also enough to invest in adapting, improving and diversifying to ensure they are getting the best from their land and their trees.”
Research commissioned by Divine Chocolate shows people are not necessarily correspondingly knowledgeable about where their favourite treat comes from and the issues facing its production. Although 65% knew that most of the world’s cocoa is grown by smallholder farmers, only 32% knew Ghana was a top producer of cocoa and only one in five was aware there could be a cocoa shortage.
Asked what they thought the causes of a cocoa shortage might be, 53% said low income of farmers, 50% the next generation choosing not to become cocoa farmers and 46% thought climate change. Asked views on how to tackle an impending cocoa shortage, 67% of British adults believe farmers should be paid more for their cocoa, and they believed their income should be enough to feed their families (88%), send their children to school (78%), buy medicines (76%) and buy equipment for their farms (72%).
