Farmers in Ivory Coast, the world’s top cocoa producer, are expressing concerns about the potential impact of dry weather on the upcoming main crop.
While the dry season is typical for this time of year, recent rainfall has been below average in many regions.
The Harmattan wind, a dry, dusty wind that blows from the Sahara Desert, is also moving southward, which could further exacerbate the situation.
Farmers in regions like Daloa, Yamoussoukro, and Bongouanou are particularly worried about the lack of rainfall, as it could lead to smaller and lower-quality cocoa beans.
However, in other regions such as Soubre, Divo, Agboville, and Abengourou, rainfall has been sufficient to support the crop.
Nonetheless, farmers in these regions would still benefit from additional rainfall to optimize yields.
In addition to the weather challenges, cocoa buyers are facing logistical issues due to poor road conditions, hindering the transportation of beans to the San Pedro port.
As the cocoa season progresses, farmers and industry stakeholders will continue to monitor weather patterns and take necessary measures to mitigate potential risks to the crop.
