Climate change is coming for your favorite foods, and the clock is ticking.
Food shortages might seem like a future problem, but they’re already happening. Climate change, extreme weather, soil degradation, and water scarcity are pushing agriculture to the brink, and some of the world’s most beloved crops are struggling to survive. It’s not just specialty foods on the chopping block—everyday staples like coffee, wheat, and chocolate could become unaffordable or disappear entirely within a few decades.
Farmers have always found ways to adapt, but the speed of today’s environmental shifts is making it harder than ever. Crops that once thrived are now facing droughts, heat waves, and shifting growing seasons that threaten their very existence. If we don’t rethink farming, food production, and sustainability, future generations may never know the taste of some of today’s most common foods. Here are 12 crops that may not survive past 2050 if the world doesn’t change course.
1. Coffee is on the brink, and your morning cup is at risk.
The world’s coffee supply is under threat, and it’s not just about higher prices—entire coffee farms could vanish. Arabica beans, which make up about 60% of global coffee production, are extremely sensitive to temperature changes. Rising heat, shifting rainfall patterns, and more frequent droughts are making it harder for farmers to grow high-quality coffee.
Sarah Gibbens of National Geographic reports that by 2050, in all three climate scenarios, the number of regions most highly suited for growing coffee is projected to decline by 50%. Diseases like coffee leaf rust, which thrives in warmer conditions, are also wiping out entire plantations.
If major producing countries like Brazil, Colombia, and Ethiopia can’t adapt quickly, coffee may become a rare luxury rather than a daily essential. Enjoy that morning brew while you can—future generations might not have the same privilege.
2. Chocolate lovers, brace yourselves—cocoa plants are in serious trouble.
Cocoa trees, the source of all things chocolate, are extremely picky about their growing conditions. They need stable temperatures, high humidity, and just the right amount of rainfall—all of which are becoming less predictable due to climate change. The vast majority of the world’s cocoa comes from West Africa, where increasing heat and prolonged dry seasons are making it harder to grow these delicate trees.
Paulina A. Asante, lead researcher in a study published in ScienceDirect, found that climate change is expected to negatively impact cocoa production in West and Central Africa, where over 70% of cocoa is grown. On top of that, deforestation and soil degradation are depleting cocoa-growing regions at an alarming rate. Major companies are scrambling to find climate-resistant solutions, but if nothing changes, your favorite chocolate bars may become a rare indulgence rather than a grocery store staple.
3. Wheat shortages could make bread a luxury item.
Wheat is one of the most important staple crops on the planet, feeding billions of people daily. But as temperatures rise and droughts become more frequent, wheat yields are already taking a hit. Chuang Zhao, lead researcher in a study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that global wheat production is estimated to fall by 6% for each 1°C increase in temperature.
Extreme weather events, from heat waves to unexpected frosts, are also disrupting harvests. Russia, the U.S., and China—three of the world’s biggest wheat producers—are already seeing declining yields due to erratic weather. If wheat becomes harder to grow at scale, the price of bread, pasta, and flour-based foods could skyrocket. Future generations may have to rethink what’s considered an everyday staple.
4. Wine grapes are struggling to survive rising temperatures.
Wine lovers might want to start savoring their favorite bottles now, because many of the world’s famous vineyards are facing an uncertain future. Wine grapes are highly sensitive to climate fluctuations, and rising temperatures are already disrupting traditional wine regions in France, Italy, and California.
As summers get hotter, grapes ripen too quickly, leading to lower-quality wine with unbalanced flavors. Meanwhile, droughts and extreme weather events are wiping out entire harvests.
Some vineyards are trying to relocate to cooler climates, but not all grape varieties can simply be moved. If current trends continue, the wine industry could look completely different in the next few decades, with some of today’s beloved varietals disappearing entirely.
5. Avocados might go extinct before millennials even stop loving them.
Avocados have exploded in popularity over the last few decades, but they might not be around forever. These creamy green fruits require an enormous amount of water—about 72 gallons per avocado.
With droughts intensifying in major avocado-growing regions like Mexico and California, the industry is struggling to keep up. Beyond water issues, extreme heat is reducing avocado yields, while pests and fungal diseases are thriving in the changing climate. Some scientists predict that by 2050, avocado cultivation could become nearly impossible in some of today’s top-producing regions. If you thought avocado toast was expensive now, just wait until it becomes a rare delicacy.
6. Bananas face a double threat from disease and climate change.
Bananas are one of the most consumed fruits in the world, but their future is looking grim. The biggest threat isn’t just climate change—it’s a deadly fungus called Panama disease, which is wiping out banana plantations globally. This soil-borne fungus has already devastated crops in Asia, Africa, and South America, and there’s no known cure.
At the same time, extreme weather patterns are making things worse. Hurricanes, droughts, and rising temperatures are putting even more pressure on banana farmers. Since nearly all commercially grown bananas come from a single variety (the Cavendish), the lack of genetic diversity makes them especially vulnerable. If scientists can’t find a disease-resistant alternative soon, bananas could become a thing of the past.
7. Rice production is drowning—literally.
Rice feeds more than half the world’s population, but its future is looking shaky. While rice fields traditionally need a lot of water, too much of it—thanks to rising sea levels and extreme flooding—is destroying crops.
Coastal rice farms in countries like Bangladesh, Vietnam, and parts of India are already struggling with increased saltwater intrusion, which makes the soil too salty for rice to grow. On the other end of the spectrum, severe droughts are cutting rice yields in places where water shortages are becoming the norm.
With global demand for rice increasing and production becoming more unpredictable, major food shortages could be on the horizon. If solutions aren’t found, billions of people could face higher prices—or worse, a shortage of their primary food source.
8. Maple syrup could become a rare delicacy.
A warming climate isn’t just melting glaciers—it’s threatening the trees that give us maple syrup. Sugar maples rely on a delicate balance of warm days and cold nights to produce the sap that gets turned into syrup. As winters get shorter and temperatures become more erratic, sap production is declining in traditional maple-producing regions like Canada and the northeastern U.S.
Droughts and pests, both worsened by climate change, are also weakening maple trees. Some experts predict that by 2050, prime maple-producing regions could shift farther north, but even then, production levels may never be the same. If trends continue, maple syrup may become one of the rarest and most expensive natural sweeteners on the market.
9. Chickpeas might not survive the coming droughts.
If you love hummus, stock up while you can. Chickpeas, the key ingredient in hummus and other plant-based staples, are extremely sensitive to heat and water shortages. Since they’re mostly grown in semi-arid regions like India, Australia, and the Mediterranean, increasing drought conditions are putting production at risk.
In recent years, chickpea yields have dropped significantly due to extreme weather. In some areas, farmers are giving up on chickpea cultivation altogether because the plants just can’t survive prolonged dry spells. With global demand for plant-based protein on the rise, losing chickpeas would be a major blow to vegetarian and vegan diets—not to mention the world’s supply of hummus.
10. Strawberries won’t thrive in a hotter, drier world.
Strawberries might seem like a resilient fruit, but they’re surprisingly fragile when it comes to climate change. These berries need cool nights, mild days, and consistent water to grow properly. Rising temperatures and irregular rainfall are already reducing crop yields in California, which produces most of the U.S. strawberry supply.
More extreme weather events, such as heat waves and unseasonal frosts, are making it harder for farmers to predict growing seasons. When temperatures get too high, strawberries ripen too quickly, losing their sweetness and quality. If these trends continue, the cost of fresh strawberries could skyrocket—or worse, they could become too difficult to grow at all in many regions.
11. Apples may lose their crunch—or disappear entirely.
That crisp, juicy apple you love might not taste the same in the future—if it even survives. Apple trees require a set number of cold hours each winter to properly bloom and produce fruit. As winters get warmer, many apple-growing regions are struggling to meet these chilling requirements, leading to lower yields and lower-quality fruit.
Pests and diseases, which thrive in warmer temperatures, are also attacking apple orchards at higher rates. Some farmers are experimenting with heat-resistant apple varieties, but not all apples can adapt. If global temperatures keep rising, certain apple varieties may be lost forever, and the ones that remain may never taste quite the same.
12. Corn is running out of time, and the ripple effects will be massive.
Corn isn’t just a staple food—it’s the backbone of countless industries, from livestock feed to biofuels. But this crop is particularly vulnerable to heat stress. High temperatures reduce corn yields by interfering with pollination, and major growing regions like the U.S. Midwest are already experiencing more frequent heat waves.
Droughts are another major issue. Corn needs a lot of water to thrive, and in areas where rainfall is decreasing, production is taking a hit. If corn supplies dwindle, the effects will ripple across multiple industries—meat and dairy prices could soar due to higher feed costs, and everything from cereals to fuel production could be disrupted. Losing corn wouldn’t just change diets—it would reshape entire economies.