Weather Impacts Chocolate and Roses
Photograph of Valentine's candy and roses courtesy of Photos.com.
Warmer temperatures can affect the production of chocolate and roses, making the search for the perfect Valentine's gift even more difficult.
A report by the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) released on Sept. 29, 2011 outlined an increase in temperature due to climate change will adversely impact the production of cocoa in West Africa.
The report states that unless the producers of cocoa are able to adjust for the one degree C (33.8 degrees F) increase in temperature, by 2030 Ghana and Ivory Coast (Cote d'Ivoire) will see declines in cocoa production.
Cocoa beans, used to make chocolate, are harvested from cacao pods. The cacao pods grow on a cacao tree. The tree's scientific name is Theobroma cacao.
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The cacao tree grows best in shade. A temperature of 77 degrees at all times is ideal for the production of cocoa beans. In addition to the continual warmth, the trees also require rainfall of 40-80 inches per year. The increase in temperature may result in less rainfall.
The cocoa beans grown in Africa account for about 50 percent of the world's supply.
Roses are another crop that is sensitive to temperature changes. Rose bushes can suffer damage when the temperature falls below 13 degrees C (55.4 degrees F) or exceeds 30 degrees C (86 degrees F).
Ideal daytime growing temperatures for the roses are between 20 degrees C. (68 degrees F) and 28 degrees C (82.4 degrees F).
Roses are often grown in greenhouses, reducing the risk of damage caused by temperature fluctuations.
Without a vast supply of chocolate and roses available on Valentine's day, gift giving will have to be somewhat more inventive.
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Daily U.S. Extremes
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| Low | 15° | Sunset Crater, AZ |
| Precip | 3.99" | Wadena, MN |
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