Last week, rainfall in most of Ivory Coast’s main cocoa-growing areas was significantly below average, while a cold spell has raised concerns among farmers about possible damage to the cocoa crop.

This could lower expectations for the main harvest season, which runs from October to March, farmers said on Monday.

Ivory Coast, the world’s leading cocoa producer, is currently in its rainy season, officially from April to mid-November, when rain is usually plentiful and often heavy.

According to Reuters, several farmers reported that the main cocoa crop is developing well, with many flowers turning into small pods and young pods gaining weight.

However, they warned that the ongoing overcast skies and cold weather may dry out flowers and pods, and limited sunlight could increase the risk of diseases in the plantations.

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“There is a cool spell during the day and in the evening. If this weather persists in August, it could cause the flowers and cherelles to fall,” said Salame Kone, a farmer near the western region of Soubre, where rainfall last year was 2.8 mm—11.9 mm below the five-year average.

Farmers from the southern areas of Agboville and Divo, as well as the eastern region of Abengourou, which also recorded below-average rainfall, said more moisture and sunshine in the coming weeks will be essential to support crop growth.

Farmers in the centre-western region of Daloa and central regions including Bongouanou and Yamoussoukro said the below-average rainfall and persistent overcast conditions were slowing the development of the main crop.

They added that more sunshine is needed by mid-August to properly dry the beans due for harvest and warned that continued lack of sun could affect bean quality.

“More sunshine is needed to help the cocoa,” said Francois N’Guessan, who farms near Daloa, where just 0.9 mm of rain fell last week, 18.5 mm below average.

During the week, average temperatures in the region stayed between 23.9 and 26.5 degrees Celsius, adding to concerns about the cocoa crop’s development amid challenging weather conditions.

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Image Credit:

Nigeria’s Non-Oil Exports Surge 24.75% To $1.791 Billion In Q1 2025, With Cocoa Leading The Charge

Image Credit: Reuters