Cocoa farmers in Ivory Coast are worried about the ongoing dry conditions and high temperatures, which could harm the October-to-March main crop.
The country’s dry season, which runs from mid-November to March, has brought limited rainfall, raising concerns across most cocoa-growing regions. Only Soubre in the west and Agboville in the south have seen above-average rainfall.
Farmers fear the heat and lack of rain will affect the small pods to be harvested in February and March. Central region farmers warned that cocoa quality may decline by February.
“The rain is scarce, and it’s very hot. We’re worried,” said Arthur Brou, a farmer near Daloa, where only 0.2 mm of rain fell last week.
In contrast, farmers in Soubre and Agboville are optimistic, expecting a good harvest in January. “Many beans will leave the bush in January,” said Salame Kone, a farmer near Soubre.
Meanwhile, temperatures in the country have remained steady between 27.9 and 28.9 degrees Celsius, prompting farmers in Divo and Abengourou to shift their focus to the mid-crop.