A report highlights the impact of climate change and biodiversity loss on the EU's chocolate crisis, with cocoa being one of six vulnerable commodities. Over two-thirds of cocoa imports to the EU originate from countries ill-equipped for climate challenges. This situation is compounded by diminishing biodiversity, making agriculture less resilient. The report's lead author, Camilla Hyslop, warns of real-time negative effects on businesses, job security, and food prices. Additionally, the findings emphasize the urgent need for sustainable practices to safeguard food security amid rising environmental threats.
The damage to food production by climate breakdown was made worse by a decline in biodiversity that has left farms less resilient. These aren't just abstract threats, said Camilla Hyslop.
The researchers mapped trade data from Eurostat on to two rankings of environmental security to assess the level of exposure for three staple foods and three critical inputs into the EU's food system.
More than two-thirds of the cocoa, coffee, soy, rice, wheat, and maize brought into the EU in 2023 came from countries that are not well-prepared for climate change.
They are already playing out in ways that negatively affect businesses and jobs, as well as the availability and price of food for consumers, and they are only getting worse.
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