Climate change is already affecting the production of many staple foods. Experts warn that chocolate, coffee, avocados, almonds, but also meat, wheat and potatoes could become rare on supermarket shelves in the future. Some of these foods are already experiencing drastic changes, and the price of some of them is already increasing.
One of the key products threatened by climate change is cocoa. West African countries, which produce 70% of the world’s cocoa, are facing poor harvests due to heat, heavy rains and disease. Cacao plants do not tolerate extreme climates well, and warm and humid weather creates favorable conditions for insects and fungi on the trees, which further causes problems for producers and poor harvests, and therefore higher prices due to lower supply.
“The situation is expected to get worse,” says Forbes magazine, which reports on this serious situation.
Coffee: Threat of extinction in production regions
Coffee is also on the list of endangered products. According to food futures expert Morgaine Gaye, rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns are already threatening coffee-growing regions, particularly in Brazil and other South American countries. “Many farmers are already moving to higher ground or changing production conditions, which means coffee will no longer be grown in some areas,” she told the Daily Express.
Scientists are already working on more affordable alternatives, such as chicory root coffee, lab-grown coffee, and date coffee. However, for lovers of strong coffee, this is bad news.
Avocados and almonds: Endangered due to lack of water
Both avocados and almonds face problems due to climate change. “Both of these products require a lot of water to grow, and as droughts have become more frequent, their production may not be sustainable on a large scale,” explains nutritionist Jennie Norton.
Basic crops such as wheat, potatoes and meat face price increases
Even staple crops such as wheat and potatoes, experts predict could become more expensive due to extreme weather conditions, such as floods, droughts or abnormal frosts.
Meat, especially beef, is also under threat. “Beef is a big burden on the environment because it causes high emissions of greenhouse gases, excessive water consumption and deforestation,” explains nutritionist and clinical dietician Rimas Geiga. “With growing regulatory pressure and changes in consumer habits, beef will be replaced by lab-produced meat, while plant-based alternatives will take over,” Geiga predicts.