6 Minute English Should we pay more for chocolate?
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Mar 12, 2026 A discussion about a new EU law that could raise the price of chocolate. Challenges of tracing cocoa from small, remote farms and the mapping hurdles involved. Street interviews on whether people would pay more and reflections from a producer on co-ops and social enterprises. Vocabulary around deforestation, traceability and geolocation is highlighted.
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EU Rule Linking Cocoa To No Recent Deforestation
- The EU will ban cocoa from land cleared in the previous six years, which could raise chocolate costs across the supply chain.
- Neil and Beth explain this requires farms to provide geolocations and traceability, challenging remote farmers without mobile devices.
Europe's Large Cocoa Import Volume
- Europe imported about 2 million tonnes of cocoa beans in 2023, showing high demand and potential impact from price changes.
- Neil underestimated the amount, illustrating how large cocoa imports are relative to consumer perceptions.
Small Business Owner Already Traces Cocoa
- Albert Smith says his small chocolate business already traces cocoa to plantations via co-ops and social enterprises.
- He notes mapping needs geolocations, which can be hard because some farmers live remote and lack mobile phones.