Dry weather and high moisture in Ivory Coast’s cocoa regions are aiding the development of the October-to-March crop, farmers said Monday.
Despite being in the rainy season, which runs from April to mid-November, rains were below average last week.
However, dry spells have allowed cocoa beans to dry properly while maintaining adequate moisture for crops.
Farmers are optimistic about the quality of the beans they plan to sell at the season’s opening, expecting two harvests per month from October to December.
Many well-developed pods of various sizes are ready for harvest.
In the western region of Soubre and southern regions like Agboville, farmers noted they have no concerns about the upcoming harvest.
Some even predict a higher crop yield compared to last year.
Jonas Bagne, a farmer near Soubre, where rains were above the five-year average, said, “There will be plenty of pods to pick until December.”
In central regions such as Daloa, farmers hope for more rain next month to strengthen smaller pods set for harvest in early 2024.
Temperatures across the country last week ranged from 21.1 to 26.8 degrees Celsius.
