Will there be a chocolate drought?

Discussion in 'General Food and Foraging Discussion' started by HozayBuck, Feb 6, 2011.

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  1. Feb 6, 2011 #1
    HozayBuck

    HozayBuck Well-Known Member

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    Will there be a chocolate drought? World’s supply of sustainable cocoa could run out by 2014

    By Simon Watkins And Jo Thornhill


    Fairtrade chocolate

    No-go: Fairtrade training schemes for farmers have ground to a halt because of political unrest in Africa

    The world faces a chocolate ‘drought’ over the next few years, an expert warned yesterday.

    Political unrest in the Ivory Coast, where 40 per cent of the world’s cocoa beans are grown, has ‘significantly’ depleted the number of certified fair trade cocoa farmers.

    Many have fled the West *African country, while fair trade training programmes have also come to a halt.

    Fairtrade training programmes have ground to a halt because of the danger farmers face in rural areas.

    The situation is already affecting chocolate manufacturers, who are facing the highest cocoa prices for over 30 years.

    Prices jumped by 10 per cent this month alone. Analysts are predicting they could soon hit $3,720 per metric tonne - a level last seen in January 1979.

    It follows a curb on international cocoa exports initiated earlier this week by the country's new president, Alassane Ouattara.

    Angus Kennedy, the editor of Kennedy's Confection and a leading British chocolatier, said chocolate producers are facing 'one of the biggest challenges to hit the industry in recent history'.

    'Supplies of sustainable cocoa are set to run out, it's that simple,' he said.
    Drying up: Ivory Coast cocoa supplies are under threat after many farmers have fled the country

    Drying up: Ivory Coast cocoa supplies are under threat after many farmers have fled the country

    'The Ivory Coast is a complete no-go area for cocoa traders as it's too dangerous, so training new farmers and trying to cut problems in the region is now, mostly impossible.

    'So in effect, its sustainability is not sustainable. Prices can't go up as it's reported because there basically isn't enough certified cocoa left to sell.'

    Of the world's 5.5 million cocoa farmers, only 10 per cent have been trained and certified as sustainable fair-trade producers.

    The certification is granted by specially-trained teachers, and the course runs for up to three years.

    But the political turmoil in Ivory Coast means both the farmers and trainers are fleeing the country, leaving a severe shortage of certified cocoa beans.

    Even if the political situation improves, it could take three years or more for the number of certified fair-trade farmers to reach its former level.

    According to Mr Kennedy, manufacturers are now fighting for the rest of the world's sustainable cocoa bean stock.

    'Things could get nasty now as producers start to fight over the last stocks,' he added.

    Read more: Will there be a chocolate drought? World¿s supply of sustainable cocoa could run out by 2014 | Mail Online
     
    HozayBuck, Feb 6, 2011
    HozayBuck, Feb 6, 2011
  3. Feb 6, 2011 #2
    gypsysue

    gypsysue The wanderer

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    Oh no! I might have to add to the 16 cans of baking cocoa I have stored! Life without chocolate... :cry:

    :ignore:
     
    gypsysue, Feb 6, 2011
    gypsysue, Feb 6, 2011

  5. Feb 6, 2011 #3
    HozayBuck

    HozayBuck Well-Known Member

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    That's the same response all you ladies !!lololol
     
    HozayBuck, Feb 6, 2011
    HozayBuck, Feb 6, 2011
  6. Feb 6, 2011 #4
    UncleJoe

    UncleJoe Well-Known Member

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    I've only got 9. I REALLY need to get busy! :)

    Not just the ladies Hozay. I love my chocolate too.
     
    UncleJoe, Feb 6, 2011
    UncleJoe, Feb 6, 2011
  7. Feb 7, 2011 #5
    catsraven

    catsraven Meoww

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    My response is.......... how hard is it to grow and ferment it? if its difficult then :cry: Im going to have to stock up!!
     
    catsraven, Feb 7, 2011
    catsraven, Feb 7, 2011
  8. Feb 7, 2011 #6
    mdprepper

    mdprepper I sold my soul to The_Blob. He had candy...

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    What??? :gaah: No CHOCOLATE!!!!!:eek::eek:

    Honey, sell the house and kids, we need to stock up on more CHOCOLATE!!!!!!:D

    Don't panic, take a deep breath. Where are my car keys? Have to get to the store......
     
    mdprepper, Feb 7, 2011
    mdprepper, Feb 7, 2011
  9. Feb 7, 2011 #7
    HozayBuck

    HozayBuck Well-Known Member

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    You're all so weak....

    I say , sitting here smugly with my cuppa "Coffee".....wait.. where does my coffee come from?.. ahhh! the store!! whee had me worried for a second... sip..sip...
     
    HozayBuck, Feb 7, 2011
    HozayBuck, Feb 7, 2011
  10. Feb 7, 2011 #8
    *Andi

    *Andi Supporting Member

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    My hubby has always said I'm an odd one ... no cakes, pies or chocolate. I just don't care for them. :dunno:

    I keep some cocoa on hand for holiday baking but can do without.
     
    *Andi, Feb 7, 2011
    *Andi, Feb 7, 2011
  11. Feb 7, 2011 #9
    Jason

    Jason I am a little teapot

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    I don't eat too many sweets either. My vice is breads. I love em all. Of course, I do like some chocolate now and then. Chocolate is not something I'd personally be worried about running out of, but with a two year old in the house, we tend to keep some around.
     
    Jason, Feb 7, 2011
    Jason, Feb 7, 2011
  12. Feb 7, 2011 #10
    UncleJoe

    UncleJoe Well-Known Member

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    If you can create a tropical environment, you're all set. :)
     
    UncleJoe, Feb 7, 2011
    UncleJoe, Feb 7, 2011
  13. Feb 8, 2011 #11
    goshengirl

    goshengirl Supporting Member

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    I used to be like that, but not any more. Now I need it for self-medicating at times, haha.

    Although in a SHTF situation I might be better off without it... make me a little edgier, quicker on the trigger... :D
     
    goshengirl, Feb 8, 2011
    goshengirl, Feb 8, 2011
  14. Feb 8, 2011 #12
    BadgeBunny

    BadgeBunny Well-Known Member

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    QFT! :p Everytime I buy a canister of coffee, I buy a canister of cocoa ... and I buy coffee and cocoa every payday! I may run out of the piddly stuff like flour, sugar and water but I'll have my coffee and cocoa if I have to mix it together in a bowl and eat it with a spoon! ;)
     
    BadgeBunny, Feb 8, 2011
    BadgeBunny, Feb 8, 2011
  15. Feb 8, 2011 #13
    Jason

    Jason I am a little teapot

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    Bagebunny: who needs to eat as long as you have the go go juice, right? I'm right there with you!!
     
    Jason, Feb 8, 2011
    Jason, Feb 8, 2011
  16. Feb 9, 2011 #14
    *Andi

    *Andi Supporting Member

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    Just heard on the radio that the cost of that Chocolate Easter Bunny may send some folks into shock. :eek:
     
    *Andi, Feb 9, 2011
    *Andi, Feb 9, 2011
  17. Feb 9, 2011 #15
    nj_m715

    nj_m715 www.veggear.blogspot.com

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    I grabbed a few bags of "bitter/sweet" chips on clearance. Can it be melted and molded to make candy? Should I add a little sugar to sweeten it?. I remember making candy with my mom, but she had chocolate made for melting. I don't know if it was any different.

    If I can't just eat it I can always make chocolate chip cookies. Any other ideas?
     
    nj_m715, Feb 9, 2011
    nj_m715, Feb 9, 2011
  18. Feb 9, 2011 #16
    The_Blob

    The_Blob performing monkey

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    looks like all of the NON fair-trade (ie Asian) growers are going to be able to sell that low-quality surplus they've had for years...
     
    The_Blob, Feb 9, 2011
    The_Blob, Feb 9, 2011
  19. Feb 9, 2011 #17
    The_Blob

    The_Blob performing monkey

    4,230
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    I guess we could plant a few million carob trees in the desert areas of the southwest... :dunno:
     
    The_Blob, Feb 9, 2011
    The_Blob, Feb 9, 2011
  20. Feb 9, 2011 #18
    Emerald

    Emerald Well-Known Member

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    You can add some nice whipping cream and some vanilla and maybe a bit more sugar if you like and melt them together in a double boiler and then as it cools you can make chocolate truffles by rolling it in balls and either dipping in more chocolate or by rolling in crushed nuts or other yummies. If you pour it warm over a cake it is called ganashe.
     
    Emerald, Feb 9, 2011
    Emerald, Feb 9, 2011
  21. Feb 9, 2011 #19
    nj_m715

    nj_m715 www.veggear.blogspot.com

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    Thanks I'll try it. We just used coffee mugs in a frying pan of simmering water. I guess it's a homemade double boiler.
     
    nj_m715, Feb 9, 2011
    nj_m715, Feb 9, 2011
  22. Feb 10, 2011 #20
    efbjr

    efbjr Well-Known Member

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    Alternative...

    Carob...available at health food stores.
     
    efbjr, Feb 10, 2011
    efbjr, Feb 10, 2011
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