Steady rainfall across several cocoa-growing regions in Ivory Coast is raising optimism among farmers for a stronger mid-crop harvest expected between March and August, despite the country currently being in its dry season.
Ivory Coast, the world’s largest cocoa producer, typically experiences its dry season from mid-November to March, when rainfall is usually limited. However, farmers say the recent showers at the start of March have helped cocoa trees develop small and medium-sized pods, which are crucial for the upcoming mid-crop.
Farmers reported that the rainfall conditions in several key growing regions have been particularly beneficial for crop development.
Above-Average Rainfall in Key Cocoa Regions
In the southern region of Divo, one of the country’s cocoa-growing hubs, 44.3 millimeters of rainfall were recorded last week, which is 29.8 mm above the five-year average.
“The rainfall is good. The cocoa that will come out of the bush this year during the mid-crop will be much more compared to last season,” said Samuel Gnepa, a cocoa farmer in Divo.
Similarly, rainfall levels in the western cocoa-producing region of Soubre were also reported to be above the seasonal average.
However, other regions recorded slightly lower rainfall levels. These include:
-
Agboville in the south
-
Abengourou in the east
-
Daloa in the center-west
-
Bongouanou and Yamoussoukro in central Ivory Coast
Even in these regions, farmers remain confident about the upcoming harvest.
Cocoa Bean Quality Expected to Improve
In Daloa, where rainfall reached 13 mm last week, slightly 2.3 mm below the long-term average, farmers still expect a healthy crop.
“The size of the beans will be better compared to last season,” said Jean-Marie Aka, a farmer near Daloa.
Temperatures across the main cocoa-growing regions ranged between 28.5°C and 31.7°C, conditions that farmers say remain favorable for pod development and crop growth.
Farmgate Price Cut Adds Pressure
The improved weather outlook comes shortly after the government announced a significant cut in the fixed farmgate price for cocoa.
Authorities reduced the mid-crop price paid to farmers by 57% to 1,200 CFA francs ($2.14) per kilogram, reflecting shifts in international cocoa market conditions.
Despite the price reduction, farmers say that favorable rainfall and improved crop development could help offset some financial pressure by increasing production volumes during the mid-crop season.
Ivory Coast plays a dominant role in the global cocoa market, and production trends in the country are closely watched by chocolate manufacturers and commodity traders worldwide.
