Dry weather threatens Ivory Coast cocoa crop

Farmers in Ivory Coast, the world’s leading cocoa producer, are worried about their cocoa crop due to the lack of rain and intense sun in key cocoa-growing regions last week. This dry spell comes at the start of the rainy season, which typically provides essential moisture for cocoa trees from April to mid-November.

However, the recent weather conditions have raised concerns among farmers about the health and yield of the upcoming mid-crop season, which spans from April to September. The rise in temperatures and the depletion of soil moisture have left farmers anxious about the development of small cocoa pods and cherelles, crucial for the mid-crop harvest scheduled for mid-August. With the official marketing of the mid-crop set to begin in early April and the government expected to announce new farmgate prices, many farmers are holding onto their beans in anticipation of a potential increase in prices from 1,000 CFA francs to 1,500 CFA francs per kilogram.

The uncertainty surrounding the weather and market prices adds pressure to Ivory Coast’s cocoa farmers, who rely heavily on cocoa production for their livelihoods. As they await the crucial rains needed for optimal cocoa growth, farmers remain vigilant, hoping for favorable conditions to ensure a successful mid-crop harvest and a fair return for their hard work.

Source: Reuters