Poor rainfall across major cocoa-growing regions of Ivory Coast is raising concerns about the quality and supply of the world’s largest cocoa producer. Farmers say dry conditions are affecting newly formed cocoa pods that will be harvested during the September-to-February main crop.
Farmers in several producing regions, including Agboville, Abengourou, Divo and Soubre, reported below-average rainfall last week, with some areas recording no rain. They warned that prolonged dryness could cause young pods to fall and reduce future output.
The quality of beans currently being harvested is also a concern, as overcast conditions have made proper drying difficult. Farmers said the situation could become more serious if rainfall does not improve by mid-October.
Ivory Coast’s rainy season normally runs from April to mid-November, making sufficient rainfall crucial for cocoa production.
The development could have implications for global cocoa supplies and prices if dry conditions persist and production is affected.
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