Ivorian cocoa prices mixed

ABIDJAN: Cocoa farm-gate prices in Ivory Coast were mixed last week, falling in some growing regions because of worsening quality following heavy rains but up slightly in others on grinder demand, farmers said on Thursday.

In the western region of Soubre at the heart of the cocoa belt, Coffee and Cocoa Bourse (BCC) data was not available, but farmers said the price was 700 CFA francs ($1.54) per kg across the board, compared with 650-700 CFA francs per kg the previous week.

That was largely driven by a rise in prices at the port of San Pedro as grinders feared a fall in quality in the next few weeks because of persistent heavy rains.

"We're finding that the beans are still of good quality.

But the factory owner’s fear that the quality will fall sharply in the next few weeks because of the rains, which supported buying prices," said farmer and cooperative manager Emile Konan.

"The rise in San Pedro prices also lent support to prices in the countryside."

The average price for the centre-western region of Daloa was also not available, but farmers said it ranged from 650-700 CFA francs per kg, compared with 650 CFA francs the previous week, as major buyers increased prices at warehouses.

"The middlemen have put up prices slightly, following exporters," said farmer Attoungbre Kouame.

In the south eastern region of Aboisso, BCC figures showed the average price declined to 615 CFA francs from 630 CFA francs. Farmers pointed to high humidity in the beans following heavy rains in the region.

"The fall in prices from buyers say it all: there's too much humidity in our areas," said farmer Etienne Yao.

In the southern region of Agboville, the average price fell to 675 francs from 750 CFA francs. Farmer Jerome Patende said mouldy beans in deliveries had weighed on prices.

Following are data on average prices from some regions and the two main ports. All data is from the BCC unless stated otherwise.

COPYRIGHT REUTERS, 2011