Cocoa production in Ilheus, Brazil, drops 70%

05 September 1997

Cocoa production in Ilheus, Brazil, drops 70%

PRODUCTION of cocoa in Ilheus, Brazil, has dropped by 70%
since the early 90s. That was when disease began to hit the crop. It was once
the worlds biggest cocoa area.

Deputy mayor Jose Henrique Abobreira said drastic action was needed. Some 250,000 people in the region had lost their jobs because of the cocoa blight.