Ghana and Ivory Coast, two major cocoa-producing countries, are experiencing a serious problem with their cocoa harvests this year.
Together, they usually provide more than 60% of the world’s cocoa supply. This shortage has caused prices for cocoa beans, which are used to make chocolate, to skyrocket.
In fact, the prices have more than doubled just this year and keep reaching new record highs almost every day.
According to over 20 farmers, experts, and industry insiders interviewed by Reuters, several factors are contributing to this crisis.
Illegal gold mining, climate change, poor management of the cocoa sector, and the spread of diseases among cocoa plants are all playing a part in the situation.
