Changes in temperature and rainfall are making some areas less suitable for cocoa cultivation, while others may benefit from the shifting climate. (Image source: Shutterstock)

According to a study by Wageningen University & Research (WUR), climate change is having a significant impact on cocoa production in West and Central Africa

Changes in temperature and rainfall are making some areas less suitable for cocoa cultivation, while others may benefit from the shifting climate. Researcher Paulina Asante from Ghana and her colleagues used a computer model to simulate the impact of climate change by 2060 in four countries: Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, and Cameroon. In Ivory Coast, up to 50% of the current cocoa-growing areas could be lost, significantly reducing production. Ghana is expected to see a moderate decline in suitable areas, while Nigeria and Cameroon may experience an increase in arable land for cocoa. Cameroon’s production could rise by 60%, and Nigeria’s by approximately 40%.

Risk of increased deforestation

These shifts may push cocoa farming into previously untouched areas, increasing the risk of deforestation, explained WUR researcher, Niels Anten. “Cameroon has a relatively large amount of rainforest, and cocoa is often grown in areas that were originally tropical forests. This puts significant pressure on these ecosystems.”

"Addressing the impact of climate change on cocoa requires an all-hands-on-deck approach. It affects every stage of the supply chain: farmers face reduced yields, businesses encounter rising costs, and consumers see higher prices,” said Paulina Asante. “While collaboration can be challenging, it is crucial to help current production regions adapt and maintain production on existing plantations. This will prevent cocoa-related deforestation elsewhere and ensure that deforestation-free policies, like the EU law EUDR, deliver meaningful outcomes."

New EU law to prevent deforestation

The European Union is introducing new import rules to combat global deforestation. Starting in September, the Regulation of Deforestation-Free Products (EUDR) will prohibit imports of products, including cocoa, from areas deforested after 2021.

Uncertain factors in projections

The models used by the researchers combine current knowledge of cocoa physiology with projected climate changes in West and Central Africa. However, there are still many unknowns. One is the effect of rising CO2 levels in the atmosphere. Since CO₂ enhances photosynthesis, it could mitigate some of the negative effects of drought and heat. The extent of this impact remains uncertain. Additionally, researchers are still exploring how flowering and fruiting will respond to warming, as well as how pests and diseases may evolve. Further research is urgently needed - not just for cocoa but for all crops - to better prepare agriculture for the future.

Major consequences for farmers

For many farmers in West Africa, who already face low incomes and limited access to resources, climate change could have profound consequences. To offset the negative effects, it is crucial to increase yields per hectare. There is significant potential for improvement, as the current production levels are far below their potential. Better soil management and targeted fertilisation could help bridge this gap. Agroforestry, where cocoa trees are grown alongside other trees, also holds promise. Shade trees can lower temperatures, stabilise humidity, and provide additional products, diversifying farmers' incomes. “Choosing the right shade trees is essential. Some trees use too much water, exacerbating drought issues. It is crucial to select species suited to the local climate and soil conditions,” says Danaë Rozendaal, another researcher on the team. Developing heat- and drought-resistant cocoa varieties and providing training for farmers can also help maintain or even boost production.

The research involved collaboration between WUR groups Centre for Crop Systems Analysis, Plant Production Systems Group, and Forest Ecology & Forest Management Group, along with cocoa companies, international and national research institutions, NGOs (non-governmental organisations), and local governments as part of the Norwegian government-funded CocoaSoils programme.

Chocolate prices

The effects of climate change on cocoa production are already noticeable. Cocoa trees, which typically have a lifespan of 20 to 30 years, are struggling with higher temperatures and unpredictable rainfall. This has previously led to crop failures in Ivory Coast. Consumers feel the impact through higher chocolate prices. Some manufacturers are responding by incorporating alternatives, such as cookie pieces, into chocolate bars to reduce cocoa use. “I don’t think cocoa will become so scarce that chocolate letters will only be visible under a microscope in the future,” Anten jokes, “but the sector must adapt to the changing climate.”

The research on the impact of climate change on cocoa production in West and Central Africa is ongoing. Current studies are examining the extent to which West Africa can meet growing cocoa demand while adhering to the EUDR regulations.

The Netherlands and cocoa

Climate effects on cocoa also have economic implications for the Netherlands, one of the largest players in the global cocoa industry. The Netherlands is the second-largest exporter of cocoa, processing large volumes into chocolate and other products for worldwide export. The annual Dutch export value of cocoa and cocoa products is nearly 10 billion euros - almost equal to the combined export value of the dairy and egg sectors. This makes cocoa the fourth-largest export sector in the country.

Velsinum will increase access to biological alternatives for vegetable and potato operations. (Image source: Bayer)

Bayer recently announced that the company has signed a new exclusive distribution agreement with UK-based Ecospray to market a biological liquid nematicide sourced from garlic

The product presents a biological alternative to traditional synthetic chemical nematicides in vegetable and potato crops, and will be marketed in the European Union under the new name Velsinum.

“Farmers in the EU are in desperate need of new, effective solutions against pests for their high-value vegetable crops,” said Jens Hartmann, regional head for Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) at Bayer’s Crop Science Division. “Velsinum will be a welcome addition into Bayer’s trusted portfolio of biological solutions and technologies supported by innovations like Velum, BioAct, Nematool and Terra MG.”

Nematodes cause over US$77.4bn worth of damage to crops globally each year with all crops facing at least one nematode pest threat. Velsinum will offer growers a new tool against nematode root damage with complementary benefits for both plant and soil health. Plants which can avoid root damage are better able to absorb available nutrients and also can withstand disease and pest pressure overall, all while safekeeping beneficial earthworm populations to maintain soil quality.

Ecospray’s knowledge and expertise of the naturally occurring bioactive compounds contained within garlic has allowed the company to develop effective plant protection products which take advantage of the natural nematicidal properties of garlic extract in order to create safe, effective and zero-residue solutions.

“We are excited to collaborate with Bayer on Velsinum, which is fully compatible with Bayer’s existing biological portfolio,” said Peter McDonald, CEO of Ecospray. “This partnership is a strong endorsement of Ecospray and its R&D capabilities developed over many years. We also greatly appreciate the ongoing support from our existing distributors in Europe Certis Belchim BV and CBC (Europe) SRL., who remain vital to our market development with our legacy product Nemguard.”

Bayer’s partnership with Ecospray continues Bayer’s work to bring new botanical and biological solutions from the open innovation ecosystem to growers, while encouraging diversity in modern agricultural practices and enabling additional regenerative agricultural practices. With Bayer’s trusted brand, global commercialisation capabilities, and unparalleled agricultural systems expertise Bayer helps to bring effective biological products to market more quickly. 

The funding from the Walloon Region in particular will support the future development of BiocSol’s R&D platform. (Image source: David Plas BiocSol)

BiocSol, a UCLouvain spin-off specialised in sustainable crop protection solutions, announces that it has secured US$4.58mn in its latest funding round

This figure includes an equity investment from Dutch impact investment fund Pymwymic and non-dilutive financing from the Walloon Region via the Win4company programme. This financing follows on from the US$5.4mn in equity funding secured in November 2024 in a round led by Agri Investment Fund and VIVES partners.
 
The funding from the Walloon Region in particular will support the future development of BiocSol’s R&D platform. It will also help the start-up demonstrate proof of concept worldwide for its first two biofungicide products.

“With this new financing, we are on target with our US$10.2mn goal, the amount we need to really fast-track our development work. It also demonstrates, once again, that our commitment to providing farmers worldwide with access to sustainable and more effective biosolutions is the right one,” said Denis Payen, CEO of BiocSol. “We are thrilled to welcome Pymwymic as an investor in BiocSol. Its support will accelerate our growth and empower us to integrate impact into our everyday lives, ensuring that our path remains relevant and transformative. Thanks to our new chairman of the board, Pierre Ferrand, and our dedicated team, we now have everything in place to write the next chapter in the BiocSol story.”
 
“We wish to thank the Walloon Region for supporting our start-up from the very beginning. Likewise, we are grateful to the Laboratory of Plant Pathology (SAVE), led by Anne Legrève and Claude Bragard, and the Laboratory of Food and Environmental Microbiology (MIAE), headed up by Jacques Mahillon and Annika Gillis at UCLouvain; all have been instrumental in the creation and successful growth of BiocSol,” said Simon Caulier, CTO and founder of BiocSol.
 
“Given BiocSol’s strong biosolution pipeline and ability to develop microbial substances for a wide range of different crops, we believe that it has real potential to make a positive impact on the agricultural sector by providing farmers with alternative crop protection solutions at an affordable price,” said Pieter Vis, partner at Pymwymic. “We are proud to be part of a project with such great potential, well-respected co-investors and partners, and, of course, an expert team led by Denis Payen and Simon Caulier.”

New varietal development is a further area where growers are looking to gain an edge. (Image source: South African Stone Fruit)

The South African stone fruit industry led by Hortgro, is accelerating the adoption of new technologies and innovative growing practices to take production to the next level

The industry is driving forward a wide range of research projects designed to make production more efficient, address the challenges of climate change, and boost output of high-quality fruit. The extent of the industry’s efforts to take production to the next level are underlined by the fact that Hortgro has a dedicated division that is focused on identifying key research areas, funding projects and seeking collaborative opportunities with both local and international research groups. It supports programmes across a range of areas from production through to crop protection and post-harvest technology, and produces reports, training videos, seminars and webinars to help growers with continual improvement.

Recent initiatives have included putting up netting on farms to increase yields and improve fruit quality, installing solar panels to tackle energy shortages, adopting new technologies for quality management in the packhouse, using drones for precision farming, and investing in water-saving and irrigation-management measures such as low flow drip irrigation, mulching, water probesand new pumping systems. 

Collaboration with growers is at the heart of Hortgro’s approach to research and development. “Our job is to create an enabling environment,” said Jacques du Preez, general manager of trade and markets. “We do that through research into innovation and technology, as well as assisting growers in obtaining market access and creating trade opportunities for them.”

Among the various initiatives, an ongoing project called The Orchard of the Future is aimed at enabling greater operational efficiency, improving fruit production, reducing wastage, and showcasing potential new strategies and technologies that can reduce risk.

Hortgro also plays its part in the Post-Harvest Innovation (PHI) Programme, which is a public-private partnership between the Department of Science and Innovation andvarious fruit industries through the Fresh Produce Exporter’s Forum. The programme aims to create a culture of innovation by providing funding opportunities to projects filling technology gaps in the horticultural export value chain. 

Currently in its fifth phase – which runs until June 2026 – four research projects are being carried out to find solutions to industry challenges, with an emphasis on participation from historically disadvantaged individuals. Current research projects include ultra-low oxygen and nitric oxide treatment for pests in pome and stone fruit, and the commercial potential of ethyl formate fumigation, which is regarded as a promising post-harvest treatment for external pests. Recently completed projects, meanwhile, have sought scientific solutions to broken stones in plums and moisture loss in nectarines, among other things. 

New varietal development is a further area where growers are looking to gain an edge. Pierre Rossouw, technical manager at leading supplier Stems, said the company has access to as many as 13 different breeding programmes from around the world to ensure it has the best varieties for each particular product throughout the season. 

“As we have such a diverse climate, you need certain genetics that will be adaptable to each specific region,” he added. “If you plant the right variety on the right rootstock in the right area, you can grow a very good product. That’s the whole aim, and how we want to distinguish ourselves from the competition and supply our customers with the best possible product in a specific window.”