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How ‘Godzilla’ El Niño threat could send chocolate and coffee prices soaring in UK
Forecasters warn that a powerful El Niño could raise the risk of weather extremes around the world, with potential knock-on effects for Britain’s food prices and winter conditions. The event is expected to peak next month and may last until spring 2027, although its effects could continue afterwards.
El Niño occurs when Pacific Ocean surface temperatures in a monitored region stay at least 0.5C above normal. The article says the Bank of England has warned it could add around two percentage points to UK food price inflation; Britain imported £7.9 billion of food from climate-exposed countries in 2023. Drought in parts of Africa could threaten crops including coffee, cocoa, sugar and rice, while UK forecasts point to wetter, stormier conditions followed by an increased chance of cold snaps.
In short
- El Niño could add pressure to UK food prices.
- Coffee, chocolate, rice and sugar crops may be affected.
- Britain could face wetter weather, storms and later cold snaps.