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Why a changing climate might mean less chocolate in the future

May 15, 2024 • Chocolate may never be the same. The majority of chocolate is made in just two countries and erratic weather from climate change is decreasing cocoa production. A handful of extreme weather events—from drought to heavy rainfall—could have lasting effects on the chocolate industry. Yasmin Tayag, a food, health and science writer at The Atlantic, talks to host Emily Kwong about the cocoa shortage: What's causing it, how it's linked to poor farming conditions and potential solutions. Plus, they enjoy a chocolate alternative taste test.

Why a changing climate might mean less chocolate in the future

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Pricier Easter bunnies and eggs. Half-dipped Kit Kats. What's up with chocolate?

Chocolate Easter bunnies wait to be decorated at a shop in Belgium. Virginia Mayo/AP hide caption

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Virginia Mayo/AP

Pricier Easter bunnies and eggs. Half-dipped Kit Kats. What's up with chocolate?

March 29, 2024 • The price of cocoa is on a wild historic ride: It topped the all-time record before Valentine's Day and almost doubled since then, in time for Easter. The culprit is the weather.

Fair Trade Helps Farmers, But Not Their Hired Workers

Cocoa producers of the Yakasse-Attobrou Agricultural Cooperative gather cocoa pods in a certified Fair Trade-label cocoa plantation in Adzope, Ivory Coast. Sia Kambou/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Sia Kambou/AFP/Getty Images

The Salt

Fair Trade Helps Farmers, But Not Their Hired Workers

July 1, 2019 • According to a new study of cocoa-producing cooperatives, Fair Trade certification boosts the income of small farmers, but those benefits aren't shared with their hired workers.

cocoa producers

Short Wave

Why a changing climate might mean less chocolate in the future

Why a changing climate might mean less chocolate in the future

Business

Pricier Easter bunnies and eggs. Half-dipped Kit Kats. What's up with chocolate?

The Salt

Fair Trade Helps Farmers, But Not Their Hired Workers