Ivorian rainfall levels portend healthy cocoa harvest

September 2nd, 2014

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Category: Cocoa

(Reuters) – Good rainfall mixed with average sunny spells last week across much of Ivory Coast’s cocoa regions provided perfect conditions for the forthcoming October-to-March main crop, farmers said on Monday.

The mid-crop in the world’s top cocoa producer, which started on April 1, is drawing to a close, and the market is now watching the development of the main crop.

Farmers expect a main crop similar to last season’s, when cocoa trees were in good health, there were plenty of pods of different sizes and soil moisture content was high.

In the western region of Soubre at the heart of the cocoa belt, an analyst reported 45 millimeters of rainfall last week, compared with 38 mm the previous week.

“The month of September will be very important for the main crop. If we have enough sun and rain in September, we will have a lot of big beans until January at least,” said Koffi Kouame, who farms in the outskirts of Soubre.

“The flowers continue to come out, and many of the flowers have started to change into cherelles (small pods). That means that the season will be long, like last season,” Kouame said.

In the centre-western region of Daloa, which produces a quarter of Ivory Coast’s national output, farmers reported light rain.

“The quality this season will be good, because the pods are well formed. And the ground, which is quite humid, will help the trees for a long period,” said Abel Konan, who farms near Daloa.

“The harvest will be early. In two or three weeks, that will start in certain places,” Konan added.

Similar growing conditions were reported in the western region of Duekoue, where farmers reported one abundant rainfall mixed with sun.

“The big campaign will start in force here. There are many pods on the trees, and there will be harvesting starting next week,” said cooperative manager Amara Kone, who farms near Duekoue.

Good growing conditions were reported in western region of Gagnoa, in southern regions of Aboisso, Agboville and Divo and in coastal regions of San Pedro and Sassandre.

One exception was the eastern region of Abengourou, known for the good quality of its beans, where farmers said more sunny spells were needed to strengthen the crop.

“The level of sunshine was weak, and the sky was a little cloudy. We need more sun for a good start to the main crop.

“We already have many flowers and small pods on the trees that need a mix of sun and rain,” farmer Joseph Amani said.

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