Cocoa plant diseases threaten global chocolate production

According to www.confectionerynews.com, a fifth of the cocoa beans used to make chocolate are lost to plant diseases every year – and things could get worse, scientists say. Randy Ploetz, plant pathology professor at the University of Florida, says that losses would be even greater if some of the diseases were spread. "Plant diseases are the most important constraints to cocoa production and the continued viability of the world s confectionery trades," he said. Currently, 4 million metric tons of beans worth more than $4 bn are produced each year. The global chocolate market is worth $75 bn annually.