CLIMATE CRISIS; FIRST COCOA,

Coffee price heats up on tight Brazil crop fears

By AFP
November 27, 2024

Brazil, the world's largest coffee producer, faces a record-breaking drought this year - Copyright AFP/File Saul Loeb

The price of Arabica coffee hit the highest level since 1977 on Wednesday, approaching a record high as drought in top producer Brazil this year hits supplies.

A pound (453.6 grams) of Arabica beans listed in New York struck 320.10 US cents, extending the commodity’s rally over 2024.

The all-time high is 337.50 US cents, seen in 1977.

Brazil, the world’s largest coffee producer, faced a record-breaking drought this year which has raised significant concerns for 2025/2026 crops amid already tight supplies.

This is despite “significant rains” in October, leading to an “excellent flowering”, according to Guilherme Morya, senior analyst at Rabobank.

He added that farmers were selling less than was needed to meet demand.

Analysts said that price support came also from geopolitical factors such as disruptions to shipping in the Red Sea, potential US tariffs and future European Union regulation on deforestation.

“It is clearer and clearer that this (supply situation) is going to have a significant impact on the consumer,” John Plassard, senior asset specialist at Mirabaud group, told AFP.

Companies are preparing to negotiate their coffee contracts early next year, with food giants like Nestle set to pass on price increases to customers.

The Swiss group announced this month that it would increase prices and reduce the size of its coffee bags to protect margins.

– Keep on buying –

In London, some coffee drinkers approached by AFP on Wednesday vowed to keep on buying their beans, but owing to recent price hikes added that they had already begun to buy fewer cups in cafes.

“I’ve noticed that the prices have gone up,” said Julie, 34, as she held a cup of coffee not long purchased from a coffee shop.

“I prefer to buy packs and brew it at home. It’s rare for me to buy it in the shop, but it used to be more frequent.”

Nicky, 26, said she was not ready to give up purchasing cups of coffee in stores.

“I would still pay for it. Maybe that’s me being financially reckless.”

She described coffee drinking as “a lifestyle, it’s how people start their day”.

Vietnam has also faced supply concerns this year for its cheaper Robusta bean that is used for instant coffee, as the country faced dryness during the growing period.

Robusta, listed in London, is trading at around $5,200 per tonne, after reaching a record price of $5,829 in mid-September.

 

Edible bird's nest-infused beverage: A new weapon in the fight against hypertension

Zhejiang University

A recent study highlights the health benefits of a cocoa-flavored, soy-based powder drink mix enriched with hydrolysates from edible bird's nests. This innovative functional beverage shows promise in managing hypertension and inflammation, along with improving glycemic control and prolonging satiety. The study focuses on the drink's angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition and red blood cell membrane stabilization effects, suggesting a fresh approach to dietary management of chronic health issues.

As consumer demand for functional foods rises, powdered drink mixes (PDMs) have gained popularity due to their convenience and health benefits. This shift reflects an increasing preference for plant-based or specialty beverages addressing dietary concerns like lactose intolerance and calorie control. Low-glycemic foods are especially valued for managing blood glucose levels and enhancing satiety, making them beneficial for diabetes care and weight management. Given these demands, there is a growing need for research to create new health-promoting PDMs that meet evolving dietary needs.

This study (DOI: 10.1093/fqsafe/fyae044) was conducted by a research team from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and was published in the Journal of Food Quality and Safety on October 3, 2024. Researchers investigated the effects of edible bird’s nest hydrolysates (EBNH) in a cocoa-flavored soy PDM, designed to maximize health benefits. Key results showed enhanced angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity and red blood cell membrane stabilization, both of which are linked to antihypertensive and anti-inflammatory effects. The drink’s formulation also features a low glycemic index and prolonged satiety, making it particularly effective for managing blood sugar levels and appetite.

The research team developed a novel soy-based PDM fortified with EBNH, known for its bioactive properties. Tests showed that the drink effectively inhibits ACE activity, suggesting antihypertensive potential by blocking compounds that raise blood pressure. In human trials, the drink demonstrated a low glycemic index, helping to keep postprandial blood glucose levels stable. Participants reported feeling full for up to 2.5 hours after consuming the drink, attributed to its high protein and fiber content. With 3% EBNH, the formulation delivers notable antioxidant effects that help stabilize red blood cells and reduce inflammation, key for managing hypertension and diabetes. Additionally, this low-calorie, high-fiber PDM offers a valuable dietary choice for those with specific health needs or dietary restrictions, underscoring EBNH’s potential in developing functional foods for chronic health management.

Dr. Zalifah Mohd Kasim, lead researcher and senior lecturer at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, commented on the impact of the findings: “The incorporation of EBNH into powdered drink mixes offers a novel way to enhance everyday nutrition with bioactive benefits. This fortified drink mix could serve as an effective dietary option for individuals managing hypertension and diabetes, or anyone looking for sustained energy and satiety. Our findings support the increasing interest in functional foods that address hunger while promoting better health outcomes.”

The enriched cocoa-flavored soy drink holds promise as a dietary supplement for individuals looking for functional foods to support blood pressure, blood sugar, and appetite control. Its high protein, low-calorie, and low glycemic profile aligns well with dietary recommendations for diabetes care and weight management. As consumer demand for therapeutic, plant-based foods grows, this product provides a convenient, health-focused option.

###

References

DOI

10.1093/fqsafe/fyae044

Original Source URL

https://doi.org/10.1093/fqsafe/fyae044

Funding information

The authors would like to thank Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) for providing financial support through the research project grants GUP-2018-059.

About Food Quality and Safety

Food Quality and Safety (FQS) is an open access, international, peer-reviewed journal providing a platform to highlight emerging and innovative science and technology in the agro-food field, publishing up-to-date research in the areas of food quality, food safety, food nutrition and human health. It is covered by SCI-E and the 2023 Impact Factor (IF)=3.0, 5-yr IF=4.7.

---

Journal

Food Quality and Safety

DOI

10.1093/fqsafe/fyae044 

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Anti-hypertensive, anti-inflammatory, glycemic and satiety impact of cocoa flavoured soy-based powder drink mix enriched with bioactive hydrolysates from nests of Aerodramus fuciphagus

Building climate resilient cocoa farming in West Africa

International research team led by Göttingen University define optimal shade trees in agroforestry

University of Göttingen

 

image: 

Cocoa tree with ripe fruits

view more 

Credit: Issaka Abdulai

Agroforestry systems, which integrate trees and shrubs into farming, are vital to achieving sustainable cocoa production in West Africa where 70 percent of the world cocoa is produced. Climate change induced drought means that it is ever more critical to adapt farming practices and find new approaches. Research led by scientists from the University of Göttingen sheds light on a promising new approach to improve climate resilience in cocoa agroforestry across West Africa; this focuses on the critical role of leaf “phenology” – the seasonal changes in leaf cycles – in trees providing shade in managing climate impacts. The study discovered that the seasonal leaf cycles of shade trees can significantly influence the productivity of cocoa agroforestry systems as well as their resilience to global environmental change. The results were published in Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment.

 

It is known that shade trees can mitigate extreme environmental conditions. They can also compete for water and light resources. To explore the complex dynamics, a two-year field study in Ghana’s northern cocoa belt was carried out by an international team of researchers at the universities of Göttingen, Munich and Tübingen in Germany, as well as Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ghana. They monitored seasonal changes in the leaf cycles of different shade tree species, including canopy height, and light interception during wet and dry seasons. These trees were then assessed for their effects on microclimatic stability, soil moisture, and cocoa yields in their immediate vicinity.

 

The research team conducted extensive analyses and categorized shade trees into seven functional groups based on their leaf phenological cycles, each having distinct effects on cocoa yields and environmental stability. Among these groups, shade trees that lose their leaves entirely during the dry season proved especially beneficial in maintaining soil moisture; this is critical during drought periods to protect cocoa productivity. In contrast, trees which lose their leaves for a shorter time in the dry season result in high soil water demand; this could be detrimental in regions with longer dry seasons. Evergreen trees proved valuable in moderate climates but posed increased fungal disease risks in wetter conditions. "By using functional groupings based on leaf phenology, rather than focusing on the huge number of individual species, we offer practical guidelines for selecting shade trees that support climate resilient cocoa production," explained Dr Munir Hoffmann from Göttingen University’s Faculty of Agriculture, Tropical Plant Production and Agricultural Systems Modelling.

 

"This study sheds light on the importance of leaf phenology as a guiding trait for selecting shade trees that will enhance cocoa resilience to climate change," emphasises lead author Dr Issaka Abdulai, postdoctoral researcher at the same research group.

 

"We have shown that, if chosen judiciously, shade trees can be allies in both sustaining cocoa productivity and enhancing environmental stability," adds Professor Reimund Rötter, head of the research group. "Our results suggest a clear path forward for designing agroforestry systems that deliver higher resilience and sustainability."

 

This research was made possible thanks to funding from the German Research Foundation (DFG).

Original publication: Abdulai, I. et al. Functional groups of leaf phenology are key to build climate-resilience in cocoa agroforestry systems. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment. Doi: 10.1016/j.agee.2024.109363

www.uni-goettingen.de/en/106511.html

Cocoa plant with shade tree

Different appearances of leaves on shade trees showing "phenology" grouping

Credit

Issaka Abdulai

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Journal

Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment

DOI

10.1016/j.agee.2024.109363 

Method of Research

Observational study

Subject of Research

Not applicable

Article Title

Functional groups of leaf phenology are key to build climate-resilience in cocoa agroforestry systems

Article Publication Date

21-Nov-2024

 

Cocoa or green tea could protect you from the negative effects of fatty foods during mental stress - study

University of Birmingham

New research has found that a flavanol-rich cocoa drink can protect the body’s vasculature against stress even after eating high-fat food.

Food choices made during periods of stress can influence the effect of stress on cardiovascular health. For example, recent research from the University of Birmingham found that high-fat foods can negatively affect vascular function and oxygen delivery to the brain, meanwhile flavanol  compounds found in abundance in cocoa and green tea can protect vascular function during periods of everyday stress.

Now, in a new study, the same research team has found that drinking cocoa high in flavanols in combination with a fatty meal can counteract some of the impact of fatty food and protect the vascular system from stress.

The research has been published today (18th November) in the journal Food and Function.

Dr Catarina Rendeiro, Assistant Professor in Nutritional Sciences at the University of Birmingham, and leading author said: “We know that when people are stressed, they tend to gravitate towards high-fat foods. We have previously shown that fatty food can impair the body’s vascular recovery from stress. In this study, we wanted to see if adding a high-flavanol food to the fatty meal would alleviate the negative impact of stress in the body”

Rosalind Baynham, first author on the paper, explained: “Flavanols are a type of compound that occur in different fruits, vegetables, tea and nuts including berries and unprocessed cocoa. Flavanols are known to have health benefits, particularly for regulating blood pressure and protecting cardiovascular health.

“We took a group of young healthy adults and gave them two butter croissants with 10 g salted butter, 1.5 slices of cheddar cheese and 250 ml whole milk as breakfast, and either a high-flavanol cocoa or a low-flavanol cocoa drink. Following a rest period, we asked the participants to complete a mental maths test which increased in speed for eight minutes, alerting them when they got an answer wrong. During the 8 minute rest period and 8 minute mental maths test, we measured forearm blood flow, cardiovascular activity and prefrontal cortex (PFC) tissue oxygenation. We also measured vascular function using Brachial Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), which is a prognostic measure for future risk of cardiovascular disease. This stress task induced significant increases in heart rate and blood pressure, similar to the stress you may encounter in daily life.”

The cocoa beverages were prepared by dissolving 12 g cocoa powder into 250 ml of whole milk. The low-flavanol powder was an alkalized cocoa powder which was processed to reduce total flavanols to 5.6 mg per serving; and the high-flavanol cocoa powder was a non-alkalized powder, delivering 695.0 mg total flavanols per serving. Alkalization is a process typically used in chocolate making to enhance flavour, but unfortunately it reduces the amount of flavanols.

The team confirmed that consuming fatty foods with the low-flavanol drink when mentally stressed reduced vascular function (by 1.29% FMD) and lasted up to 90 minutes after the stressful event was over. The findings also showed that the cocoa drink high in flavanols was effective at preventing the decline in vascular function following stress and fat consumption. Brachial flow-mediated dilatation was significantly higher following high-flavanol cocoa compared to low-flavanol cocoa 30 and 90 minutes after the stressful period. The team had also found in their previous work, that eating high-fat foods attenuated cerebral oxygenation in the pre-frontal cortex, during stress. However, cocoa flavanols did not improve cerebral oxygenation or impact mood.

Dr Catarina Rendeiro, Assistant Professor in Nutritional Sciences at the University of Birmingham, added: “This research shows that drinking or eating a food high in flavanols can be used as a strategy to mitigate some of the impact of poorer food choices on the vascular system. This can help us make more informed decisions about what we eat and drink during stressful periods.”

In the supermarket look for a minimally processed cocoa powder, and if cocoa isn’t quite your beverage of choice, there are other ways you can get a higher dose of flavanols, such as green tea, black tea and berries. Recent published guidelines for flavanol intake recommend between 400 to 600 mg/day, which can be achieved for example, by consuming two cups of black or green tea, or a combination of berries, apples and high-quality cocoa.

Jet Veldhuijzen van Zanten, Professor of Biological Psychology at the University of Birmingham, and author of this paper added: “Modern life is stressful and the impact of stress on our health and the economy has been well documented, so any changes we can make to protect ourselves from some of the symptoms of stress is positive. For those who tend to reach for a treat when stressed or depend on convenient food because they work high-pressure jobs or are time-poor, incorporating some of these small changes could make a real difference.”

ENDS

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Journal

Food & Function

DOI

10.1039/D4FO03834G 

Chlorine and cocoa butter could protect corals from disease and decrease antibiotic pollution of the oceans

Researchers found that chlorine mixed with cocoa butter is effective at treating diseased corals, which could reduce negative side effects of antibiotic treatments on ocean ecosystems

Peer-Reviewed Publication

Frontiers

 

image: 

The study’s co-authors Argel Horton and Laura Arton apply the chlorine paste to a large coral (Orbicella annularis). The bright white area is where the treatment has already been applied. Image: Dr Graham Forrester.

view more 

Credit: Dr Graham Forrester.

In the tropical Atlantic, stony coral tissue loss disease (SCTLD) is particularly severe because the disease is transmitted quickly, spreads to many hosts, and results in high mortality rates. Treatment methods to stop the spread of SCTLD are available; the most common is the use of antibiotics. This, however, comes with side effects like increased antibiotic resistance.

Now, an international team of researchers has investigated if an alternative, antibiotic-free approach to treating infected corals could help avoid antibiotic pollution of the world’s oceans and improve coral health.

“Our study shows that direct treatment of SCTLD can help corals survive a disease outbreak and highlights that active management of disease is possible in the field,” said Dr Greta Aeby, a researcher at Qatar University and senior author of the study published in Frontiers in Marine Science. “Antibiotic pollution is a problem worldwide, so we’re working to develop a non-antibiotic treatment that would slow down tissue loss diseases.”

Antibiotics vs chlorine

The researchers compared the effectiveness of different treatments by applying them to infected corals of Horseshoe Reef, near the British Virgin Islands. Some corals were treated with amoxicillin, an antibiotic; others were treated with a paste mixed from chlorine and cocoa butter.

“In this mix, the active ingredient is sodium hypochlorite, an antiseptic commonly used to kill bacteria or viruses.  The chlorine powder we used in our treatment is the same used to kill germs in swimming pools. The cocoa butter was just the delivery mechanism allowing us to spread the chlorine on the coral lesions,” explained Aeby.

The researchers applied both treatments directly to corals and re-visited the reef every four or five weeks to measure and describe lesions and to reapply the treatment as necessary. After roughly 80 days, the median percentage of tissue lost was 17.6% for chlorine-treated colonies and 1.7% for amoxicillin-treated colonies.

Environmentally friendly

While the antibiotic treatment was more successful at containing SCTLD, the researchers said that unwanted side effects, such as the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, could be lessened when opting for the chlorine treatment. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria do not only affect corals, they said. “Any organism – crabs, fish, even humans – in that same environment has a higher risk of encountering bacteria that are now antibiotic-resistant,” explained Aeby.

While antibiotic treatments greatly impact the environment, the chlorine and cocoa butter paste mixture biodegrades easily, and the chlorine naturally deactivates within a day.

An added benefit is that it is much cheaper to produce – ingredients can be found in drug and hardware stores. “The antibiotic paste is not only tedious to produce, it also is often too expensive for conservationists, who operate with minimal funding on Caribbean islands,” said Argel Horton, a marine biologist at the Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change of the British Virgin Islands and co-author of the study.

Protecting oceans vital to coral health

The researchers said that not all corals responded equally well to the treatments. There also are many more coral species in different regions that haven’t been included in the study. They hope that future research will test the effectiveness of different treatment methods elsewhere.

“Disease treatment can help manage a disease, but it will not remove the disease from the coral populations,” said Aeby. Direct treatments can decrease the pathogen load in the environment, but treating coral colonies like done in study – individually and by hand – is not feasible in the long-term or on a large scale.

“The best strategy would be to improve environmental conditions so that corals have a better chance of fighting disease themselves. This includes cleaning up water pollution and rebalancing the ecosystem,” Aeby pointed out.

The researchers apply the chlorine paste to a large coral (Orbicella annularis) with several visible lesions. Image: Dr Graham Forrester.

Credit

Dr Graham Forrester.

---

Journal

Frontiers in Marine Science

DOI

10.3389/fmars.2024.1465173 

Method of Research

Experimental study

Subject of Research

Animals

Article Title

The relative effectiveness of chlorine and antibiotic treatments for stony coral tissue loss disease

Article Publication Date

14-Nov-2024

Halloween “shrinkflation”: How candy companies are adapting amid a cocoa crunch

 

Is Shrinkflation Making Halloween Smaller?

Exclusive-France's Danone cuts out Brazilian soy ahead of tough new EU rules

International Agriculture Fair (Salon International de l'Agriculture)

 at the Porte de Versailles exhibition centre, in Paris · Reuters


Fri, October 25, 2024
By Richa Naidu

LONDON (Reuters) - French dairy giant Danone has stopped sourcing soy from Brazil and now buys from countries in Asia, its finance chief told Reuters, ahead of a European Union rule requiring companies to prove they are not sourcing from deforested land.

Companies from Nestle to Unilever have been gearing up in recent years to meet the new regulation before they face potential fines of up to 20% of turnover.


The European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), covering imports of commodities like cocoa, coffee and soy, was scheduled to come into effect on Dec. 30, though the EU Commission this month proposed a 12-month delay.

In a 2023 report, Danone said it used 262,000 tonnes of soy-based products to feed its cows and 53,000 tonnes of soy beans directly in the manufacture of its Alpro and Silk soymilk and soy yoghurt products. It sourced soy from Brazil indirectly for its animal feed only and had placed it under review.

"We don't (source soy from Brazil anymore)," Jurgen Esser said on Thursday, saying the company was now "absolutely" importing soy from Asia instead.

"We have really a very complete tracking, so we make sure that we only take sustainable ingredients on our side," he said.

He did not give further details on when specifically the company made the shift and which countries in Asia it now buys from.

Danone is not as exposed to deforestation as many of its rivals, Esser said.


Soy is used in about 5% of Danone's dairy cows' feed as its cows are mostly fed on grass or grain, the company said in its 2023 forest report.

It sources soybeans for its Alpro products from Canada, France, the United States and Italy, it said at the time.

The last time Danone broke down soy sourcing for animal feed by percentage was in 2021 when it said Brazil accounted for 18% of soybean meal volumes.

Brazil is forecast to produce a record 170 million metric tons of soy in its next harvest, compared to 125 million metric tons grown in the United States, which it surpassed in 2020. The agricultural powerhouse is the world's top producer of soy and as Europe cuts its imports, shipments to China have grown to an average of over a million tons a week.

In 2019, Danone's peer Nestle stopped buying Brazilian soy from commodities giant Cargill. Rival Unilever, which uses soybean oil in its Hellmann’s condiments and Knorr products, still sources soy from Brazil and says its supplier, CJ Selecta, complies with strict zero-deforestation requirements.

Brazil leads the world in rainforest destruction, even after President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva took office in 2023 and deforestation rates in the country's portion of the Amazon jungle fell by more than half.

While major traders have vowed to stop sourcing soybeans from newly cleared land in the Amazon rainforest, soy farming continues to be a major driver of deforestation in the nearby Cerrado savanna.

Around 10% of global emissions come from deforestation.

Industries and governments have said the new EU rules will disrupt supply chains, exclude poor, small-scale farmers from the EU market, and drive up the cost of basic foodstuffs because many farmers and suppliers were not ready to comply.

(Reporting by Richa Naidu; Additional reporting by Brad Haynes and Jake Spring; Editing by Josephine Mason and Elaine Hardcastle)

Mexico announces food and agriculture plan that could take the country back to the 1980s

Associated Press
Updated Tue, October 22, 2024 




 A farm worker irrigates black bean plants with wastewater near Tepatepec, Hidalgo state, Mexico

 (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico’s new president announced an agriculture plan Tuesday that could make the country’s food production and distribution look a lot more like it did in the 1980s, when meals in Mexico were dominated by tortillas, beans, instant coffee and cheap hot chocolate.

Four decades ago, the ingredients for those meals were often bought at government stores that stocked a few basic goods.

President Claudia Sheinbaum pledged Tuesday to revive those often shabby, limited government stores and continue efforts to achieve “food sovereignty.”

“It is about producing what we eat,” Sheinbaum said of her policy, whose main focus will be on increasing bean and corn production.

Sheinbaum appears to have a deep interest in boosting beans. On Monday, she said, “It is much better to eat a bean taco than a bag of potato chips."

Agriculture Secretary Julio Berdegué said the focus would be on guaranteeing prices for farmers who grow corn used for tortillas and lowering tortilla prices by 10% after prices jumped a couple of years ago.

The government aims to boost bean production by about 30% in six years to replace imports of beans, and will set up research centers to supply higher-yielding bean seeds.

“Self-sufficiency in beans is a goal the president has set for us,” Berdegué said.

The government will also focus on supporting coffee production, but mainly for instant coffee, which it claims is used by 84% of Mexican households. The plan will also seek to support cocoa production, but mainly for powdered baking and hot chocolate, not fine chocolate bars.

The policies appear to run counter to market trends and what Mexican food sales look like today, when consumption of most of the old basics has fallen.

Most Mexicans today shop at modern grocery stores, and consumption of fresh ground coffee, not instant, has increased enormously, accompanied by a boom in specialized coffee chains and shops.

Meanwhile, bean consumption has been dropping precipitously for decades in Mexico. According to the government's “2024 Agricultural Panorama” report, Mexicans consume only about 17 pounds (7.7 kilograms) of beans annually. That's less than half of the 35.2 pounds (16 kilograms) consumed per year in 1980.

A combination of factors, including the time it takes to cook dried beans, may be behind this. Amanda Gálvez, a researcher at Mexico's National Autonomous University, wrote that “we look down at beans because it is considered ‘the food of the poor,’ and we are making a serious mistake,” because beans are a good source of protein.

However, the health benefits aren't clear: The most common bean recipe in Mexico — refried beans — often contains a considerable dose of lard.

Tortilla consumption has also fallen from nearly 220 pounds (100 kilograms) per capita annually in 2000 to about 165 pounds (75 kilograms) in 2024. Consumers have increasingly taken to buying bread and other bakery products instead of tortillas.

Apart from the challenge of trying to change consumer habits, the policy also runs counter to market trends. While some countries are trying to encourage high-value varietal and specialized chocolate strains, Mexico is focusing on the cheapest products.

While chocolate was first exported to the rest of the world from Mexico, Mexico's own production has fallen dramatically because of plant diseases and a lack of investment. It dropped from almost 50,000 tons in 2003 to about 28,000 tons in 2022.

And while most Mexican homes may have a jar of instant coffee in their cupboards, that's not where the tendency — or consumer spending — is headed. According to a Technavio industry report, instant products accounted for only about 37% of the sales value of coffee in Mexico.

Sheinbaum's focus on self-sufficiency in oil, energy and foodstuffs is a holdover from her predecessor and political mentor, former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, who left office on Sept. 30.

López Obrador also appears to have passed on his nostalgia for a 1970s-style Mexico — including passenger rail service, state-owned industries, tight-knit families and small corner stores — to Sheinbaum.

The agriculture plan comes one day after Sheinbaum announced a complete “junk food” ban on salty, fried, processed snacks or sweetened beverages and soft drinks in schools, starting within six months.

But the government's track record in actually changing consumer behavior is poor, columnist Javier Tejado wrote Tuesday in the newspaper El Universal. He reminded readers that the government banned junk food advertisements aimed at children in 2014.

“The result after ten years of prohibitions?” Tejado wrote. “Things are worse than when they started in 2014; Mexicans have decided to keep consuming things they like.”

The gold curse in Ghana

Saturday 19 October 2024, by Paul Martial

Demonstrations against illegal gold mining in Ghana are becoming a major political issue, highlighting the corruption of the country’s ruling elites. With just two months to go before the country’s presidential elections, the environmental issue is entering the debate as citizens mobilise against illegal gold mining.

Increased mobilisation

An initial demonstration initiated by the Democracy Hub movement brought together around a hundred activists protesting against the activities of illegal gold miners known in Ghana as galamsey, a word derived from ‘gather them and sell’. The police intervened violently and imprisoned around fifty demonstrators. This repression, far from weakening the struggle, strengthened it. As a result, the three days of mobilisation called for at the beginning of October brought together a much larger number of people. Most were dressed in red and black, demanding the release of the demonstrators and an end to illegal gold mining. Several placards were held up saying "Your greed fuels our crisis ’.

Illegal mines

Most of the mines are concentrated in the south of the country, and illegal gold panning could involve almost a million miners, providing a livelihood for 4.5 million people. This activity has many harmful consequences for the environment. It destroys forests, pollutes rivers with mercury and cyanide, and degrades the land through the use of high-pressure water, which eliminates nutrients. What’s more, the holes are often not filled in, leading to accidents. Miners and their families suffer from health problems linked to exposure to chemicals. The use of mechanisation is also cutting into the agricultural land used for cocoa plantations.

Government accused

The repression of the demonstrators was aimed at stifling this issue, which remains perilous for the government. Although some measures have been taken against illegal mining, they are above all symbolic because the stakes are so high. There are social issues at stake - the jobs of hundreds of thousands of people - as well as economic ones, since Ghana is Africa’s second largest gold producer, with companies that do not hesitate to buy gold produced in illegal mines at very low prices.

Finally, this controversy sheds a harsh light on the system of clientelism and corruption in the country’s two main parties. The report by Professor Kawabena Frimpong Boateng, a former Minister of the Environment, implicates a number of senior members of the government involved in galamsey activities.

Translated by International Viewpoint from l’Anticapitaliste.

The solution would be a radical rethink of the extractivist model imposed by multinationals on African countries, offering young people prospects other than polluting their country and endangering themselves and their families.

Attached documents

• ghana-the-gold-curse_a8714.pdf (PDF - 903.9 KiB)
  Extraction PDF [->article8714]
• the-gold-curse-in-ghana_a8714.pdf (PDF - 904.7 KiB)
  Extraction PDF [->article8714]

Ecology and the Environment

• Tanzania: Masai evicted from their land on the altar of profit
• The Indus Water Treaty
• Laundering Carbon—The Gulf’s ‘New Scramble for Africa’
• Global crisis, conflict and war: what internationalism for the 21st century?
• Ecuador’s Indigenous movement calls for an international movement against extractive industries

Ghana

• Mobilization against the high cost of living and corruption in Ghana
• What’s Left in Africa?

• Paul Martial

  Paul Martial is a correspondent for International Viewpoint. He is editor of Afriques en Lutte and a member of the Fourth International in France.

International Viewpoint is published under the responsibility of the Bureau of the Fourth International. Signed articles do not necessarily reflect editorial policy. Articles can be reprinted with acknowledgement, and a live link if possible.