Cool, overcast weather last week in most of Ivory Coast's main cocoa-growing regions threatens to reduce the size of the upcoming cocoa main crop, although light rain and sunshine in other areas boosted growth, farmers said on Monday. Heavy rain in June and July has left too much moisture in the soil, and more sun is needed for the October-to-March main crop harvest to be abundant, farmers said.
The West African country is the world's top cocoa producer. Farmers reported no rain and persistent cool weather in the western region of Soubre, at the heart of the cocoa belt. "The weather is frequently overcast and there is a cool wind. The flowers and pods are suffering because they need more sun," said Lazare Ake, who farms near Soubre. "We are worried because if this weather continues we will have significant losses and it will reduce our harvest," he said. In the centre-western region of Daloa, which accounts for about a quarter of national output, farmers also reported no rain and overcast skies.
"We have registered some losses due to lack of sun but the losses are not enormous," said Remi Zougbo, who farms near Daloa, adding that the lack of sunshine could bring pests. Similar growing conditions were reported in the southern regions of Aboisso, Agboville and Tiassale, the western region of Gagnoa, and the eastern region of Abengourou. However, in the western region of Duekoue and the southern region of Divo, farmers reported good weather that would strengthen the crop. "There was sun and rain. Lots of flowers will turn into small pods to make the harvest abundant," said Amara Kone, who farms in the outskirts of Duekoue.
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