The Fairtrade movement has continued in issuing a warning over potential El Niño weather conditions that have been flagged for this autumn that could cause significant damage to cocoa communities in West Africa, writes Neill Barston.

Notably, the potential impact of major weather events on the wider agricultural supply chain has made global headlines in recent weeks, as industry experts are projecting key challenges in the coming weeks.

Indeed, as Confectionery Production reported earlier this summer, the ICCO cocoa organisation was among key voices warning of the prospect that El Nino would be particularly impactful in the coming weeks.

Adverse storms, droughts, floods, heatwaves and hurricanes are all potential projected weather patterns that could significantly affect many core industries linked to confectionery, snacks and bakery markets.

As Fairtrade observed, forecasts from both the U.S. National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration (NOAA) and the United Nations World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) predict “strong” to “very strong” El Niño conditions July-December.

Like other El Niño events, weather impacts will vary from region to region. Disruptions to rainfall, temperatures, and storm patterns are expected. Prolonged heatwaves for much of Europe and the U.S. and droughts across Africa, Asia and the Pacific (which is subject to what is know as La Nina adverse weather patterns), and Latin America and the Caribbean are also predicted.

Fairtrade farmers have reacted with considerable concern at the situation in recent weeks.  “To prepare ourselves for the impact of the El Niño, we apply some practices such as Trichoderma (beneficial fungus). Because in this phenomenon, with the many rains, different types of plagues can appear. And by having our soil well fed, it will counteract any plague or fungus that may appear. Among [other] practices that we use, there are some bio-organic practices, such as soil coverage, cover crops, biochar, and improved compost,” noted María Juárez, Farmer, Cooperativa Rio y Valle, Peru.

The prospect of El Nino conditions comes as West African cocoa farmers are experiencing extended major problems, after enduring major pay cuts of more than 50% in Ivory Coast, and 40% in Ghana, as prices of cocoa dropped significantly.

Weather adds to economic concerns for farmers
For her part, Amanda Archila, Executive Director, Fairtrade America, believed the situation was particularly concerning given wider economic challenges in many markets.

She said: “Food and beverage companies have a responsibility to throw farmers a lifeline. Smallholders have watched their share of profits get devoured in the past few years by volatility driven by war, trade policy, economic instability, and the relentless pursuit of extractive corporate profits. Simultaneously, they have dealt with increasing crop losses, environmental degradation, and climbing production costs driven by climate change.

 “A record-breaking El Niño could be the last straw for family farms that don’t have the means to prepare or recover. Companies that want to continue sourcing real ingredients from real farmers must invest in the people, land, and communities that will be impacted. If they don’t, they risk the viability of their own supply chains, and ultimately, the future of their business,” adding that Fairtrade staff and farmers around the globe are are using the resources they have to get ahead of the crisis and build resilience into their supply chains to protect farming families and their key crops.