Chocolate lovers in the United Kingdom face a potential shortage of their favorite sweet treat as a tiny insect-borne virus wreaks havoc on cacao trees in West Africa. Swollen shoot virus, described as one of the most devastating plant viruses on Earth, has wiped out 50,000 hectares of cacao farmland in Ghana, the world’s second-largest chocolate producer. Ivory Coast, the world’s leading chocolate producer, is also facing significant losses. The virus is spread by mealybugs, small insects that thrive in warm climates and feed on the leaves, buds, and flowers of cacao trees. Ghana has lost over 254 million cacao trees in recent years, while approximately 20% of the cacao crop in Ivory Coast is infected. Recent heatwaves have exacerbated the problem, as mealybugs thrive in warmer temperatures. The spread of the virus has had a significant impact on the global chocolate supply, with prices rising sharply in recent months. Some Easter eggs and bunnies cost around 50% more this year than last year. In addition to swollen shoot virus, black pod disease poses another threat to chocolate production. This fungal-like disease turns cacao pods black or brown, and some studies estimate that it destroyed up to 30% of the world’s annual cocoa crops in 2022. While scientists are working on developing new methods to combat these threats, the future of chocolate production remains uncertain. Farmers are facing a difficult choice between cutting down infected trees and replanting with resistant varieties, which is expensive, or using pesticides, which are ineffective against mealybugs. The situation is further complicated by rising labor costs and climate change, which is making it more difficult to grow cacao trees. As a result, the price of chocolate is likely to continue to rise in the coming years, and chocolate lovers may have to pay more for their favorite indulgence.
Chocolate-Loving UK Faces Threat as Virus Ravages Cacao Trees in West Africa
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