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> Threats to the chocolate ?

Threats to the chocolate ?

For many years the world consumption of chocolate has not stopped increasing. Unfortunately this consumption has increased two times faster then the production of cocoa! During 1997/1998 harvest, the production of cocoa diminished, it is the sad consequence of many poor harvests across the world. 1 million tons less in total during the harvest of 1996/1997.

The consumption increases 3% per year; the production increases only 1,5% per year.

The distance between the production and the consumption risk being even greater in the future years because the great distributors wish to expand the market to the East of Europe and to China. At this rhythm the shortage of chocolate, the experts say, could happen in the next 10 years.

In (1998) a conference assembled the representatives from the small producers of cocoa (90% world wide production) also the ecologists, with permit, many "groups" (scientific, producers É) to deposit to the ACRI (American Cocoa Research Institute) their suggestions (example: growth methods of the surfaces dedicated to the culture of cocoa trees) to stop this occupying situation.

From its end the ACRI will lunch a vast research program. It must be said, that the future of this industry, which has become chocolate concerns thousands of jobs and this industry is estimated worth is 295 billions of French francs.

To understand the difficulties that are being met, you must know:

• The cocoa trees grow to 3,5 to 6 meters high; they need great attention and a lot of patience from the producer.
• The cocoa tree can only be cultivated in tropical zones.
• The cocoa tree takes 6 years to produce their first beans.

To find out more about chocolate and cocoa, consult the "chocolate" section on this site.