Farmers in Ivory Coast, the world’s leading cocoa producer, are expressing concerns over dry weather conditions that could negatively impact cocoa bean quality and tighten supply starting in February.
Key Points:
Current Weather Conditions:
Last week, most of Ivory Coast’s main cocoa regions experienced no rainfall, raising alarms among farmers about potential crop damage.
The country is currently in its dry season, which lasts from mid-November to March, characterized by low rainfall.
Harvest Outlook:
Farmers reported sufficient cocoa pods on trees for harvesting in January. However, they anticipate a decline in the October-to-March main crop starting in February.
Monitoring of the April-to-September mid-crop will begin in January, as good rains are essential for triggering flowering and pod development.
Regional Concerns:
In regions like Daloa, Bongouanou, and Yamoussoukro, farmers noted that the lack of rain (3 mm below the five-year average) is detrimental to both the end of the main crop and the onset of the mid-crop.
Faustin Konan, a farmer near Daloa, stated, “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.”
Impact of Harmattan Wind:
The Harmattan wind, which typically blows in from the Sahara between December and March, can dry out the soil and adversely affect cocoa pod size. Farmers reported a decrease in the intensity of this wind compared to the previous week.
Need for Rain:
Farmers in various regions, including Soubre, Agboville, Divo, and Abengourou, emphasized the necessity of regular rainfall every 10 days in January to enhance yield and bean quality starting in February.
Kouassi Kouame, a farmer near Soubre, remarked, “The weather is very hot, so we need well-distributed rainfall in January for trees to produce well.”
Temperature Observations:
Average temperatures across the country last week ranged from 26 to 28.2 degrees Celsius, contributing to the dry conditions.