June 01, 2024
According to a new study, a virus that causes cacao swollen shoot virus disease (CSSVD) has been threatening and destroying cacao trees in West Africa. The virus, which is transmitted by small insects called mealybugs, damages cacao trees and their seeds, which are used to produce chocolate. Approximately half of the chocolate in the world comes from cacao trees in West Africa and the spread of the deadly virus is negatively affecting its production and supply globally. To control the spread of the virus, researchers have come up with solutions such as growing the trees at a particular distance from each other to prevent the mealybugs from moving from one tree to another.
Watch this video to learn how cocoa beans are made
