Environmental and economic sustainability of cocoa production in west sub-Saharan Africa

We aim at assessing the water use related to the cultivation of cocoa plants at a high spatial resolution (5 arc minute), from 2010 to 2017, in Western sub-Saharan Africa. We have analysed the water footprint at both unitary (crop’s water use efficiency) and aggregated (annual production’s water) scale. Further, we have assessed the economic aspects related to the production and distribution of cocoa beans and derivatives. Then, we have analysed the international market composition, in terms of top importer and exporter countries, provided insights regarding the price dynamic, and showed the utilisation of cocoa beans along the supply chain.