A new report warns of the impact of climate change and the loss of biodiversity on major food products imported by the European Union. Cocoa, essential for the chocolate industry, is among the most threatened.
The six main foods imported by the European Union are threatened by and the loss of biodiversity in producing countries, alerts a pUploaded on Wednesday, May 21st. This is the first time a study has taken into account these two threats.
The study da British consultant commissioned by , an independent philanthropic initiative that works to help face the climate crisis, analyzed the six most imported EU products in 2023: Cocoa, coffee, soy, rice, wheat and corn. He concluded that most of these goods come from countries that are poorly prepared to face the impacts of climate change.
Chocolate at risk: 96.5% of cocoa comes from vulnerable zones
Cocoa, which Europe does not produce, is especially vulnerable. Almost 97% of Cocoa imported by the EU in 2023 comes from countries with low climate adaptation capacity and 77% comes from regions with poor biodiversity integrity.
Most cocoa imports originated in West African countries, such as Ivory Coast and Ghanawhere environmental risks are high.
Loss of biodiversity aggravates the effects of the climate crisis
Researchers warn that biodiversity loss weakens agricultural resilience, making production systems more fragile to extreme climate phenomena such as droughts, floods or pests.
“These are not abstract threats. They are already affecting companies, jobs as well as the availability and price of food for consumers, and are getting worse,” warns Camilla Hyslop, the main author of the report, quoted by and by .
Corn, wheat and rice also at risk
Other essential food products face similar risks: 90% of corn imported by the EU comes from countries with poor climate preparation; 67% comes from areas with low or medium biodiversity.
Wheat and rice They follow similar standards of risk.
Companies have to invest in the resilience of production chains
The report argues that large chocolate manufacturers have to invest invest in climate adaptation and protection of biodiversity in cocoa producing countries.
“This is not altruism, but a vital way to reduce risks to supply,” reads the report.
Paying a fair price to farmers would allow them to invest in more sustainable and climate-resistant practices, the authors conclude.
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