Brazilian 2004/05 (May/April) cocoa arrivals from Bahia and other states totalled 2.70 million 60-kg bags by January 30, down 11 percent from 3.04 million bags a year ago, the Bahia Commercial Association said Wednesday. Bahia state, Brazil's main cocoa producer, delivered 14,699 bags in the week ended January 30, compared with the 21,921 bags in the same week in 2003/04.
"Some of the retained cocoa seems to have reached the market during the short-lived rally last week and helped to slightly boost the arrival figure for Bahia," cocoa analyst Thomas Hartmann said in the association's weekly report.
But the flow of cocoa from other states decreased, he added.
Due to the Carnival holiday February 7-8, next week's report will not contain new cocoa arrivals figures.
Most of Bahia's cocoa region will continue to receive light scattered showers into next week. Temperatures remain between 23 and 32 Celsius (74-90 Fahrenheit).
Bahia's farmgate prices peaked at 70 reais per arroba (15 kg) on Thursday following a rally in the terminal market, but fell to 65 reais on Tuesday.
A firming of the real to its highest level against the dollar since June 2002 depressed local prices.
Premiums against NYBOT March 2005 contract ranged between $100 and $120.