Mars joins biotech Pairwise to make stronger cacao plants

The maker of M&M’s and Snickers, Mars Inc., announced yesterday that it is teaming up with biotech firm Pairwise to develop climate-resilient cacao using CRISPR gene-editing technology.

CRISPR offers a faster and more precise alternative to traditional crop breeding. With global chocolate supplies under threat from disease and rising temperatures, Mars aims to create cacao plants that can better withstand environmental stress.

Starbucks has made similar efforts to protect its coffee supply from climate-related challenges.

Several brands, including Hershey’s, Lindt, and Nestle, have hiked chocolate prices in 2025 to cope with higher cocoa costs.

Cocoa prices have more than doubled since 2023, driven by crop disease and extreme weather in West Africa, which supplies over 70% of global cocoa.