Brazilian 2006/07 (May-April) cocoa arrivals from Bahia and other states totalled 309,427 60-kg bags by June 4, down 42 percent from 531,243 bags a year ago, Bahia Commercial Association said Wednesday. Bahia state, Brazil's main cocoa producer, delivered 91,074 bags in the week, down from 114,341 bags in the same week last year.
"Arrivals both from Bahia and from other states have improved further and will probably maintain similar levels for the coming weeks," cocoa analyst Thomas Hartmann said in the association's weekly report.
Following the recent dry and partially cloudy weather, a rain front moving up from southern Brazil will bring light to medium intensity showers over Bahia's cocoa region starting the second half of the week and reaching into the weekend.
Temperatures vary between 18 to 26 degrees Celsius (64 to 79 Fahrenheit).
Starting from Wednesday's 48 to 51 reais per arroba (15 kg) range, farm gate prices in Bahia rose slightly to 49 to 52.50 reais on rising premiuns bid in the last two days of the week.