Today, 70% of the world's chocolate is produced in Africa. However, cocoa crops have not been profitable for many of the small farmers - price volatility is prevalent within the business. In the future, many small farms may cease to exist! What does this mean to all the chocolate lovers around the world? Chocolate will become more expensive. I pay quite a bit of money (now) for the finest quality chocolate that I can afford to buy. If the chocolate retailers continue to make profits, why shouldn't the cocoa farmers?
Why are African farmers being tremendously underpaid for their cocoa crops? This is the "ugly-side" of Capitalism - the catalyst for chocolate retailers making profits, while the cocoa farmers are starving; they can no longer make an honest living by cultivating cocoa, and they may have to substitute farming cocoa for some other crop that provides a profit. They have to do what is necessary to provide for their families. If the conglomerates do not share the profits, everyone will lose - those who make their living by producing cocoa, chocolate lovers, and eventually corporations / businesses that work in the industry producing the retail products that we enjoy.
Why are African farmers being tremendously underpaid for their cocoa crops? This is the "ugly-side" of Capitalism - the catalyst for chocolate retailers making profits, while the cocoa farmers are starving; they can no longer make an honest living by cultivating cocoa, and they may have to substitute farming cocoa for some other crop that provides a profit. They have to do what is necessary to provide for their families. If the conglomerates do not share the profits, everyone will lose - those who make their living by producing cocoa, chocolate lovers, and eventually corporations / businesses that work in the industry producing the retail products that we enjoy.
Important Factors of Chocolate Production
Political Unrest within the country
Weather Conditions
Humanitarian Issues (child slavery, etc.)
In the near future, I will take a very close look at these factors and discuss my opinions with you - until then, bon appétit! My all-time favorite Chocolatier!