Brazilian 2004/05 (May/April) cocoa arrivals from Bahia and other states totalled 3.0 million 60-kg bags by March 27, down 15 percent from 3.55 million bags a year ago, the Bahia Commercial Association said on Wednesday. Bahia state, Brazil's main cocoa producer, delivered 5,801 bags in the week that ended March 27, compared with 6,942 bags in the same week in 2003/04.
"While arrivals from Bahia continue slow as expected, the flow from other states has picked up somewhat but still remains below last year," cocoa analyst Thomas Hartmann said in the association's weekly report.
Light to moderate rain, interspersed with brief sunny spells, continues to fall over Bahia's entire cocoa region and will last through the week.
"This weather is highly beneficial to cocoa and could have a favourable effect on the tail of the Temporao (mid-crop) and the early main crop," Hartmann said.
Temperatures remain between 24 and 30 Celsius (75-86 Fahrenheit).
The continued decline of terminal quotes pushed Bahia's farm gate prices down to 61 to 62 reais per arroba (15-kg) last Wednesday and they have stayed at that level.
Export discounts against the May contract on the new York Board of Trade ranged between $50 and $80.
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