Chocolate Lovers, African Cocoa Farmers Pay Price as Big Brands See Profits
Voice of America
FILE - Cocoa pods hang on a tree in Divo, west-central Ivory Coast, Nov. 19, 2023. With exports from the Ivory Coast, the world's top producer, down by a third in recent months, the global price of cocoa has risen sharply. FILE - A farmer opens a cocoa pod in Divo, west-central Ivory Coast, Nov. 19, 2023. About three-quarters of the world's cocoa — the main ingredient in chocolate — are produced on cacao trees in Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria and Cameroon. FILE - Cocoa beans dry in Divo, west-central Ivory Coast, Nov. 19, 2023. Shoppers in Europe, the United States and elsewhere are paying more for Easter sweets as changing climate patterns take a toll on cocoa supplies and farmers.
Shoppers may get a bitter surprise in their Easter baskets this year. Chocolate eggs and bunnies are more expensive than ever as changing climate patterns eat into global cocoa supplies and the earnings of farmers in West Africa.
FILE - In this photo provided by Jeonbuk Fire Headquarters, balloons with trash presumably sent by North Korea hang on electric wires as South Korean army soldiers stand guard in Muju, South Korea, May 29, 2024. This photo provided by Incheon Fire Headquarters shows balloons with trash presumably sent by North Korea, in Incheon, South Korea, June 2, 2024.
FILE - A target is hit with artillery fire as U.S and Moroccan military forces take part in the 20th edition of the African Lion military exercise, in Tantan, south of Agadir, Morocco, May 31, 2024 FILE - Members of the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces stand guard as they take part in the 20th edition of the African Lion military exercise, in Tantan, south of Agadir, Morocco, May 31, 2024. FILE - Gen. Michael Langley, USMC, Commander, U.S. Africa Command, center, and Major Gen. Mohammed Berrid, Inspector General of Moroccan Royal Armed Forces, attend the African Lion military exercise, in Tantan, Morocco, May 31, 2024. FILE - Members of the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces take part in the 20th edition of the African Lion military exercise, in Tantan, south of Agadir, Morocco, May 31, 2024. FILE - F16 fighter jets perform a maneuver as part of the African Lion military exercise, over Tantan, south of Agadir, Morocco, May 31, 2024.
People march during a rally in support of Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his party in Budapest, Hungary, June 1, 2024. Orbán with 14 years in power is the European Union's longest serving leader. Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán addresses people as they gather to support him and his party during a 'peace march' in Budapest, Hungary, June 1, 2024. People march during a rally in support of Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his party in Budapest, Hungary, June 1, 2024.
FILE - In this Nov. 9, 2015, photo, Myanmar's pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, right, delivers a speech as close ally Tin Oo waves in Yangon, Myanmar. Tin Oo died June 1, 2024, at the age of 97. FILE - Tin Oo, co-founder of the National League for Democracy party, points out other party members at a ceremony to mark the 25th anniversary of the founding of the NLD, in Yangon, Myanmar, on Sept. 27, 2013.
Polling officials check and seal an electronic voting machine before they allow voters to cast their votes at a polling station during the last round of a six-week-long national election near Dharamshala, India, June 1, 2024. Nuns of the Missionaries of Charity, the order founded by Mother Teresa, stand in queue to cast their votes during the last round of a six-week-long national election, in Kolkata, India, June 1, 2024.
A North Korean military guard post, top, and South Korean post, bottom, are seen from Paju, South Korea, near the border with North Korea, May 31, 2024. A TV screen shows a report of North Korea's multiple rocket launchers during a news program at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, May 31, 2024.