Ivory Coast's 2007/08 main cocoa harvest could begin ahead of its official October start and produce an abundant crop if good rainfall seen in recent weeks keeps up, exporters and analysts said this week.
The October-March main crop, which usually turns out around 1 million tonnes, will take over from the April-September mid or intermediate crop which has disappointed exporters after drought-like conditions earlier this year cut output.
There was barely any rain in most growing regions in the world's top cocoa producer from January until the end of March, causing many developing pods to shrivel up. But trees have recovered well with showers steady over the last two months.
"At the moment in the bush, conditions seem very favourable for a good harvest next season," said a crop analyst for a European trading company currently touring upcountry. "There's a lot of rain and many flowers ... and cherelles (tiny pods) are also now appearing," he said. Blossoms on the cocoa trees' trunks and branches can give some idea of the size of a crop because pods develop in their place after they wither.
An abundant harvest would bring some relief to exporters and bean grinders, many of whom say they have been struggling to meet purchase targets since the mid crop began nearly three months ago.
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