ABIDJAN: Below-average rains in most of Ivory Coast’s key cocoa regions last week are expected to support the development of the next April-to-September mid-crop, farmers said on Monday.
Ivory Coast, the world’s top cocoa producer, is in its dry season which runs officially from mid-November to March, when rains are poor and scarce.
Farmers across Ivory Coast’s cocoa regions largely welcomed last week’s rainfall, saying it was sufficient to support the crop. They noted that flowers continue to proliferate on trees, with many transitioning into small pods.
Growers said February would be a critical month for determining the length and size of the mid-crop, noting that consistent weekly rainfall during the month would ensure a healthy harvest starting in May.
Farmers said regular rainfall in February would likely result in larger mid-crop beans compared to last year, adding that the harvesting period could also extend longer than the previous season.