North Dakota’s Chocolate Emergency: Virus Threatens Supply

Every day at 1:00 PM, it's my ritual to indulge in a square of Ghiradelli's dark chocolate infused with caramel and sprinkled with sea salt. However, after stumbling upon an article today, it seems like it might be wise to start stocking up on my daily treat.

Did you know that chocolate is facing its own pandemic scare akin to COVID-19? It's true!

In West Africa, where over half of the world's chocolate comes from—think Ghana and the Ivory Coast—a viral disease is wreaking havoc on cacao trees. It's called the "cacao swollen shoot virus disease" (CSSVD), and it's spreading like wildfire, thanks to pesky mealybugs chomping away on the trees.

Picture this: swollen stems and roots, red veins on young leaves, and shrinking cacao pods. While we're not sure if they lose their sense of smell and taste, one thing's for certain: it's not pretty.

The impact? Massive. In Ghana alone, experts estimate a 15% to 20% loss in harvest due to CSSVD, leading to the demise of over 254 million cacao trees in recent years.

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Tackling this virus has proven challenging, mainly because those mealybugs have built up resistance to pesticides. But don't despair—there's a glimmer of hope on the horizon in the form of vaccines. Yes, you heard that right!

Scientists are rolling out CSSVD vaccines for cacao crops. While they're effective, the catch is they come with a hefty price tag, especially for low-paid farmers.

Now, you might be wondering, will this affect your chocolate stash? It's uncertain, but according to the "New York Post," this virus poses a genuine threat to the global chocolate supply. So, it might be wise to stock up while you still can.

And that's not the only hurdle. According to the New York Post, the chocolate industry is already grappling with disruptions in the supply chain due to—you guessed it—climate change. Poor harvests have led to soaring prices, making it tough for cacao processors to afford the beans they need.  An expert says, "This virus is a real threat to the global supply of chocolate."  And the "Post" says you might want to "stock up while you can."

So, fellow chocolate lovers, while the situation may seem dire, let's keep our fingers crossed and our chocolate stashes well-stocked as we navigate through these uncertain times.