FX.co ★ Seven common foods that may soon become delicacies

Bananas

Bananas might become a delicacy in the near future due to severe threats to their production. The main issue is a fungal disease known as TR4, or "Panama disease," which affects the Cavendish variety, responsible for about 99% of global exports. TR4 spreads through soil and has already caused serious damage to banana plantations in Asia, Australia, and Latin America. Due to the genetic uniformity of the Cavendish, it has no resistance to the disease, making it extremely vulnerable.

Avocados

Avocados, a favorite for many, risk becoming a delicacy primarily due to climate change, which is having a major impact on yields. Leading producing countries like Mexico, Peru, and Chile are facing droughts and water shortages, making it much harder to grow this fruit. Farmers estimate that one avocado requires about 320 liters of water throughout its growth, making it one of the most resource-intensive fruits, especially in water-scarce regions where it is heavily cultivated.

Honey

One of the main threats to honey production is colony collapse disorder, which has already reduced bee populations by up to 60% in some regions. The situation may worsen as climate change progresses. Droughts and extreme weather reduce the number of flowering plants, limiting nectar availability for bees. Experts estimate that honey harvests in key regions like Eastern Europe and the US have sharply declined in recent years, leading to a price increase of about 44%.

Coffee

Coffee might also become a delicacy due to global climate change. Key growing regions like Central and South America, as well as Africa, are regularly dealing with rising temperatures, droughts, water shortages, and more pests, all of which hurt crop yields. Futurists predict that by 2050, the amount of land suitable for coffee cultivation will shrink by more than 50%, potentially leading to a product shortage and a sharp price surge.

Tuna

Tuna, a member of the mackerel family, might soon become rare and expensive. One reason is overfishing, which has already caused a significant drop in populations of some species, like yellowfin and bluefin tuna. Another key factor is global climate change, which affects tuna migration routes and reproduction. Rising ocean temperatures and environmental pollution also worsen the living conditions for this species.

Oranges

Oranges may become a delicacy due to serious problems caused by climate change and diseases. One major factor is global warming, which leads to droughts and reduced yields. For example, the El Niño phenomenon in 2024 led to a 25% drop in orange production in Brazil, which could make this fruit expensive very soon. Additionally, a citrus tree disease known as "greening" also threatens orange harvests, worsening the shortage.

Hummus

Hummus, a popular dip made from chickpeas, could become a delicacy due to declining global supplies of its key ingredient. The main cause of this shortage is climate change, leading to droughts and lower yields in producing countries. For instance, global chickpea reserves fell by 20% in 2022 due to unfavorable weather. Chickpeas, used to make hummus, require significant resources to grow, and extreme weather conditions are making their production increasingly difficult.