Rising temperatures linked to climate change are forcing some farmers in Central America to shift focus from coffee to cocoa, according to Reuters. The source reports that farmers in the region are pulling up coffee trees in lower-altitude areas and replacing them with cocoa, which flourishes in warm weather. Lower-altitude coffee also does not have the same quality level that is demanded by the market, as “coffee premiums tend to increase with altitude,” Reuters reports. That low altitude, however, is suitable for higher-quality cocoa.
Price is also incentive for farmers as well. Coffee futures fell 24 percent in 2015 to $1.20 per pound while cocoa futures have risen for four consecutive years.
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