A mix of heavy rains and sunny spells in most cocoa growing areas of Ivory Coast last week boosted the mid-harvest from April to September, farmers said.
The world’s largest cocoa producer is in the middle of the rainy season, with frequent heavy downpours from April to mid-November.
Several farmers said last week’s weather conditions would help the small pods ripen by August and September and improve the quality of the beans.
Harvests are resuming and more beans are being sold to cooperatives, they added.
“The weather is very good and the trees are doing well. We are going to have a lot of cocoa this year,” said Emile Boua, who farms near the eastern region of Abengourou, where 49 millimeters (mm) fell last week. , 23.5 mm above the five-year average.
Above average rainfall
Rainfall was also above average in the southern regions of Agboville and Divo, but below average in the western region of Soubré, although farmers there said the harvest and crop development were still on track. the right path.
In the central western region of Daloa and in the central regions of Bongouanou and Yamoussoukro, farmers said the weather conditions would favor the development of the pods which should be harvested from July.
“The rains will help the pods grow bigger in the coming weeks,” said Albert N’Zue, who farms near Daloa, where 48.1mm of rain fell last week, 26.2mm above the level. mean.
Average weekly temperatures ranged between 27.4 and 30.6 degrees Celsius.
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