New Delhi, April 18, IRNA -- The world is on the brink of a chocolate supply crisis owing to the instability in cacao growing areas and soaring demand in developing countries, an expert has warned

Farming methods used by cacao bean growers are in dire need of modernization, said a report quoting David Guest from the University of Sydney’s Faculty of Agriculture and Environment as saying.

David warns that global production of cacao, the raw ingredient in chocolate, must increase nearly a quarter by 2020 to keep up with demand from China and other rising economies.

However, cacao growing regions remain some of the most undeveloped and unstable parts of the world and farmers face significant challenges in bringing production up to speed.

Dark, delicious and decadent, the rich flavour of chocolate has inspired passions, addictions and even literature for more than three thousand years.

Not just appetising, it also has known health benefits, including reducing blood pressure and enhancing psychological happiness.

However the main cacao-producing regions are West Africa, South America, Southeast Asia and the Pacific, all areas vulnerable to threats of climate change, political instability, pests and diseases.

Professor Guest and his colleagues have travelled to some of these areas to promote sustainable farming practices for the prized bean.

He has worked with farmers to select better cacao genotypes, to teach improved methods of crop and soil management and find out what can be done to improve technical support given the constraints growers face.

Without education and access to modern methods, these growers face falling being unable to keep up with rising demand.

“One estimate is that global production will need to increase by one million tonnes per year by 2020 - from 3.6 million tonnes in 2009 and 2010 - to meet global demand,” said Guest.

“While controlling disease is relatively straightforward in theory, changing farming practice to become more sustainable and rewarding is a much more complex challenge involving social, economic, political and environmental factors,” he added.

According to one estimate, Chocolate market in India is estimated to be around Rs. 1500 crores, growing at 18-20 per cent per annum. While the global chololate market is worth $ 75 billion annually.

Cadbury is the market leader with 72 per cent market share. The per capita consumption of chocolate in India is 300 gram compared with 1.9 kilograms in developed markets such as the United Kingdom. Over 70 per cent of the consumption takes place in the urban markets.

Chocolate sales have risen by 15 per cent in 2007 to reach 36000 tones. Another estimate puts the figure at 25000 tones

Chocolate is a range of products derived from cocoa (cacao), mixed with fat (i.e. cocoa butter and/or plant oils) and finely powdered to produce a solid confection. There are several types of chocolate according to the proportion of cocoa used in a particular formulation.

The use of particular name designations is sometimes subject to governmental regulation.

Chocolate is available in many types. Different forms and flavors of chocolate are produced by varying the quantities of the different ingredients. Other flavors can be obtained by varying the time and temperature when roasting the beans