Our Changing Menu - Ingredient Database

(Under Ongoing Development)

Sugar

Brazil; Europe

Brazil is the largest producer of sugarcane globally.[1] Projected decreases in rainfall will reduce production in some areas while higher temperatures will likely increase yields elsewhere in Brazil. Sugar beets are another source of sugar and warmer springs in Europe will likely increase sugar beet yields in some areas. Where drought is already a problem, drought-caused losses could double. Drought could extend into new areas and losses from it in western and central Europe could reach 18% by 2050, if not sooner.[2]

References:

[1] “Leading Sugar Cane Producers Worldwide in 2017, Based on Production Volume,” Statista, released January 2019, https://www.statista.com/statistics/267865/principal-sugar-cane-producers-worldwide/.

[2] P. D. Jones et al., “Future Climate Impact on the Productivity of Sugar Beet (Beta Vulgaris L.) in Europe,” Climatic Change 58, no. 1 (May 1, 2003): 93, https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023420102432.

Our foods and food ingredients: They're all changing.

Yields of major staple crops like wheat and rice are being hurt by increasing temperatures. Wine grape production is moving to cooler climes causing changes in the character of some of our favorites. The flavors and health benefits of teas, the size of potatoes, the sting of a hot pepper, where fish call home in the oceans, and a future decline in protein in vegetables—it’s all changing.

Our food database shows the ingredients affected by a changing climate.

To learn what farmers, scientists, and many others are doing to keep the menu stocked, see Stewardship of the Land and Our Changing Menu: Climate Change and the Foods We Love and Need. You have a role, too!

Using our database:

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Construction in progress...

This food ingredient database is in its early phase and we will strive to expand it on an ongoing basis so that everyone is aware of how climate change is affecting the foods we love and need.