Farmers across Ivory Coast’s cocoa heartlands are calling for urgent rains to bolster their main harvest amid the dry Harmattan winds moving southward.
The October-to-March main crop, vital to the world’s largest cocoa producer, faces challenges due to scarce rainfall in recent weeks. The dry season, stretching from mid-November to March, has left growers wary of potential harm to the pods.
Reports from farmers reveal below-average rains in most regions last week, though cocoa beans are still being harvested and are expected to flow until January. The looming threat of a stronger Harmattan wind, which could worsen drought conditions, adds to their worries.
Basile Atta, a farmer near Bongouanou, expressed growing concern, saying, “The rains are very weak, and if the Harmattan becomes strong, we’ll face quality problems in January.” Rainfall in his region was just 0.3 mm last week, significantly below the five-year average.
The Harmattan, a seasonal wind from the Sahara, risks drying soil and stunting cocoa pods if it intensifies. In regions like Daloa and Yamoussoukro, where no rain fell, and in Soubre and Agboville, where rains were insufficient, farmers emphasize the urgent need for consistent downpours.
Despite these concerns, some farmers remain optimistic about the current state of their trees. “The trees are doing well, and there are still enough pods to harvest,” said Salame Kone from Soubre, which received 8.3 mm of rain, still below average.
Cocoa buyers, meanwhile, face logistical struggles as poor road conditions hinder shipments to San Pedro port. Warehouses in Abidjan are filled with beans, but transport remains a challenge.
Average temperatures across the country last week ranged from 27 to 27.7 degrees Celsius, adding further pressure to the delicate cocoa cycle.