A recent study by Foresight Transitions, commissioned by the European Climate Foundation, highlights a growing crisis: more than two-thirds of the EU’s cocoa, coffee, soy, rice, wheat, and corn imports in 2023 originated from countries ill-prepared for climate change and biodiversity loss. Unlike previous analyses focusing solely on climate vulnerability, this research also examines ecological degradation in exporting nations, painting a grim picture for global food supply chains.
Key Findings: A Fragile Supply Chain
- Rice: Over 35% of EU rice imports (worth €1.5 billion annually) come from climate-vulnerable regions. Extreme rainfall in China has reduced yields over the past two decades.
- Wheat & Corn: Floods in the UK and France (2024) slashed wheat production, while heatwaves in Eastern Europe damaged corn crops, forcing greater reliance on imports.
- Cocoa: 96.5% of EU cocoa imports (critical for chocolate production) come from countries with low climate resilience. Excessive rainfall in West Africa has led to cocoa bean rot, disrupting supply.
Biodiversity Loss Amplifies the Crisis
The study links monoculture farming, deforestation, and soil depletion to reduced crop resilience. Joseph Nkandu, founder of Uganda’s National Union of Coffee Agribusinesses, emphasizes the need for climate financing to help farmers adapt. Meanwhile, Paul Behrens (University of Oxford) warns that the findings depict an “extremely alarming” scenario for food security.
The Way Forward: Adaptation & Investment
The report urges agribusinesses—especially chocolate producers—to invest in climate adaptation for cocoa-growing regions. Additionally, diversifying supply chains, adopting regenerative agriculture, and supporting smallholder farmers could mitigate risks.
The EU’s food security is increasingly tied to climate-stressed regions, demanding urgent action from farmers, agronomists, and policymakers. Sustainable farming, biodiversity conservation, and climate-resilient crops must become priorities to safeguard global food supplies.
Error
