Ivory Coast’s cocoa farmers are expressing concerns over prolonged dry weather, which could affect bean quality and lead to supply challenges by February. Cocoa farmers and dry weather have always been a challenging combination, especially in this region.
The country, the world’s largest cocoa producer, is currently in its dry season, spanning mid-November to March, characterized by minimal rainfall. Cocoa farmers and dry weather conditions during this period put additional strain on production.
Farmers reported no rainfall across most major cocoa-growing regions last week, raising alarms about the potential impact on the October-to-March main crop and the upcoming April-to-September mid-crop. While trees currently have enough pods for January harvests, the situation may worsen if rainfall remains scarce, they said.
“We didn’t get a single drop of rain. It’s not good for the end of the main crop and the beginning of the mid-crop,” said Faustin Konan, a farmer near Daloa, a west-central region that recorded no rain last week—3 millimeters below the five-year average. Cocoa farmers and dry weather challenges persist in this area.
In central regions like Bongouanou and Yamoussoukro, as well as in Daloa, farmers noted a reduction in the intensity of the Harmattan wind, which typically sweeps in from the Sahara between December and March. While less intense last week, the Harmattan can dry soil and shrink cocoa pods, reducing overall yield.
In the western region of Soubre and southern regions like Agboville and Divo, the absence of rain is equally concerning. Farmers stressed that consistent rainfall in January—at least once every 10 days—could improve yields and enhance bean quality for February. Cocoa farmers and dry weather impact their hopes for an improved yield.
“The weather is very hot, so we need well-distributed rainfall in January for trees to produce well,” said Kouassi Kouame, a farmer near Soubre.
Average temperatures last week across Ivory Coast ranged from 26 to 28.2 degrees Celsius. The country’s farmers are now watching weather patterns closely, hoping for a shift that will ensure a successful mid-crop season.
Source: Reuters
