African cocoa farmers face many challenges, including child labor, low pay, and climate change.
Child labor
Children are forced to work on cocoa farms in West African countries like Ghana and Ivory Coast.
Children are often lured by the promise of good pay or trafficked into the industry by their families.
Children are forced to work long hours, carry heavy loads, and perform dangerous tasks.
Children are often physically abused by farm operators.
Low pay
Cocoa farmers are underpaid and receive less than 7% of the value of each tonne of cocoa sold.
Manufacturers and retailers capture most of the value of the cocoa.
Climate change
Climate change is making it harder to produce cocoa in West Africa.
Rainfall patterns are shifting, with more heavy rains and longer dry spells.
One study predicts that Ivory Coast's most suitable growing areas will shrink by more than 50% by the 2050s.