Ivory Coast has eased quality standards for cocoa exports during the remainder of the 2010-11 season to allow a smaller average bean size, authorities said on Friday. The world's top grower, recovering from a violent post-election power struggle, will allow export batches to contain a maximum of 125 cocoa beans per 100 grams, from 105 beans per 100 grams.
"Due to exceptional circumstances, and to reflect the conditions of the mid-crop, a bean count of 125 per 100 grams will be allowed for the period from June 15 to September 30," according to a statement from industry regulator BCC. It said that other export quality standards, including for bean humidity, mold, and defects, would remain unchanged for the remainder of the October-September season.
BCC did not elaborate on the reasons for the change, but industry players have said the country's crisis had undermined the cocoa industry by making it difficult for farmers to tend their plantations. Fighting broke out after a disputed November 2010 election, killing thousands of people, displacing more than a million, and bringing the economy of the former regional star to its knees.
The crisis only eased in April after the arrest of former leader Laurent Gbagbo, who had rejected poll results showing he lost to rival Alassane Ouattara, who is now president. Ivory Coast aims to produce 1.3 million tonnes of cocoa this season, up from just over 1.2 million last year.
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