Drought Threatens Shea Production
This season, we are facing a major shortage of shea nuts. This means there is less shea butter available. As a result, the price of shea butter has risen, and will continue to rise. The absence of the rainy season in Ghana is at the root of the nut shortage.
Hopefully next season everything will be back to normal!
Climate Change and Its Impact on Shea
Climate change and prolonged periods of extreme drought are putting shea nut production at risk, impacting millions of women in West Africa who depend on the shea industry for their livelihoods.
The shea tree is a vital component of agroforestry in the region. The tree starts bearing its first fruit only after 10 years and is in full production after 20 years. In doing so, the tree depends on seasonal rainfall. Prolonged drought not only reduces the quantity of available nuts, but also reduces their quality. Urbanisation and deforestation also threaten the shea tree, further increasing pressure on the shea industry.