Light rain mixed with sunny spells across most of Ivory Coast's main cocoa growing regions last week will boost the October-to-March main crop, farmers said on Monday, though some reported dry seasonal winds had started early. The world's top cocoa producer is heading into its dry season and harvesting is in full swing with main crop output expected to exceed last year's. But the Harmattan winds will play a key role in determining the season's ultimate output.
The dry, dusty winds normally sweep down from the Sahara for a variable period between December and March. When severe, as they were last season, they can kill small cocoa pods, dry out the soil and hit the quality of the beans. Farmers reported the arrival of the Harmattan last week in the western region of Soubre, in the heart of the cocoa belt.
"It hasn't rained and the Harmattan has already started. It's not strong for the moment," said Salame Kone, who farms on the outskirts of Soubre. "There is lots of fog in the mornings and dust in the air if the Harmattan is strong in December, with lots of heat, we will have heavy losses," he said. In the centre-western region of Daloa which accounts for about a quarter of national output, farmers reported good levels of rain and sunshine. "The Harmattan has not yet arrived here. Conditions are very good for the cocoa," said Raphael Kouadio, who farms near Daloa. "If it rains once a week until mid-December the harvest will be plentiful."
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