Cocoa farmers in Ivory Coast’s cocoa-growing regions have said more rain is required in some areas to boost the April-to-September mid-crop. The country is the world’s biggest cocoa producer with the cocoa season running from mid-March to late October, with heavy showers expected to begin this month.
Farmers said their harvests had so far been more abundant than last year and that a mix of showers and sunshine would yield a healthier mid-crop than the previous season.
In the western region of Soubre, at the heart of the cocoa belt, farmers said the weather would allow them to harvest twice a month until at least July. “The mid-crop is good, we have already harvested many more beans than last year,” said Julien Beda, who farms near Soubre.
Rainfall was also above average in the southern regions of Agboville and Divo, in the central region of Bongouanou, and in the eastern region of Abengourou, and farmers said they expected large and high-quality beans if the weather remained constant.
According to data, rainfall in Daloa, including the region of Bouafle, was at 10.3 millimeters last week, 11.6 mm below the five-year average. Rainfall was also below average in the central region of Yamoussoukro and the western region of Man. Average temperatures ranged between 27.6 and 30.9 degrees Celsius.
