ABIDJAN: Ghana's 2018/2019 main cocoa crop is expected to yield between 650,000 and 700,000 tonnes of beans by the end of March, little-changed from last season, exporters and pod counters said on Tuesday.
The cocoa season in the world's second largest producer runs from October to March for the main crop, and then from April to September for the light crop.
Around 675,000 tonnes of beans were purchased by Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) between the start of the season and Jan. 31, COCOBOD marketing board figures showed on Monday, up 10 percent from the previous year.
But exporters and pod counters voiced concern for the light crop, which they expect to be smaller than last season.
"There are real concerns regarding the light crop because the weather is dry and temperatures are above average," an exporter based in Kumasi said on Tuesday, "this has already had an impact on the crop's development."
Pod counters told Reuters cherelles and pods were dying prematurely because of drought, and that production had declined in the north-western districts of Enchi, Sefwi and Bekwai.
They said the light crop was expected to yield between 170,000 and 180,000 tonnes of beans this year, 26 percent less than the 250,000 tonnes harvested last year.
But several counters and exporters said the main crop would compensate for the losses and Ghana's total cocoa production would remain stable.
"We must remain vigilant and keep an eye on the climate, as it could change our forecast," an exporter based in the capital Accra told Reuters.
Exporters and pod counters said Ghana's total 2018/2019 cocoa harvest is expected to reach between 820,000 and 885,000 tonnes, compared to 900,000 tonnes last season.
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