Cocoa harvesting in the Ivory Coast is expected to pick up from May, as favourable weather conditions should boost the April-to-September crop, according to farmers.
The world’s top cocoa producer is currently in its rainy season, which runs from April to mid-November. Rain usually falls in abundance during this period.
However, there has been high heat and a lack of rainfall so far in the season.
Earlier this month, farmers reported the situation but said it was not yet alarming, adding that rain from mid-April could save the crop.
‘We’ve Had Some Good Rain’
Farmers across the country said that now, more pods were ripening on trees. This will make it possible for more beans to leave the bush from the next month.
In the western regions of Soubre, the southern regions of Agboville and Divo, and the eastern region of Abengourou farmers said the weather has been cloudy and they expect rain in the coming days.
“We’ve had some good rain. This will help many of the pods ripen properly,” said Herve Yavo, a farmer based near Agboville.
Farmers in Soubre added that the amount of beans leaving the bush would rise gradually from mid-May to July.
Growing conditions are good but regular rain is now needed every week from May to strengthen the crop, according to farmers from Daloa and the central regions of Bongouanou and Yamoussoukro.
“It rained practically all day yesterday,” said Albert N’Zue, who farms near Daloa. “It’s good for cocoa trees.”
Farmers in the region said the main part of the mid-crop harvest would take place between June and early July.
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