Cocoa arrivals at ports in top grower Ivory Coast reached 881,311 tonnes by March 31, down from 893,513 tonnes in the same period a year ago, according to data from the Coffee and Cocoa Bourse (BCC) obtained by Reuters on Tuesday. The figures showed 3,644 tonnes of beans arrived at the ports of Abidjan and San Pedro from March 22 to 31, down from 24,237 tonnes in the same week of the 2008/09 season.
Levels of rainfall in Ivorian cocoa regions last week would encourage growth of the April-September mid crop, farmers said on Tuesday. Across the country, most farmers reported at least one spell of heavy rainfall that would help flowers develop into small pods. Farmers said they thought the mid crop would be concentrated between May and July.
In the western region of Soubre, at the heart of the cocoa belt, farmers said they received three abundant rains. "The mid crop harvest should be bigger than last year's, and last for longer because there are lots of flowers on the trees," said Salam Kone who farms near Soubre.
In parts of centre-western region Daloa, which produces one quarter of Ivorian national output, harvesting had already begun. "Several farmers have gone into the bush to harvest," said farmer Magloire Gnankan. "From next week we'll see more farmers drying their beans ... beans will be most abundant in June," he said. Farmers also reported good growing conditions in western regions Duekoue, Gagnoa and Meagui, southern regions Divo, Agboville and Aboisso and eastern region Abengourou.
Comments
Comments are closed.