Several downpours last week in most of Ivory Coast's main cocoa growing regions will help produce a healthy April-to-September mid-crop, farmers said on Monday, while in other areas rain was needed to keep flowers from drying out. The dry season in the world's top cocoa producer runs from mid-November to March, but has been mild this year, they said.
"There has been good rain. The mid-crop looks promising because there are lots of flowers on the trees," said Amadou Diallo, who farms in the outskirts of the southern region of Divo. "If there is another good rain this month, (bean) quality will be good for the mid-crop," he said.
In the western region of Duekoue, farmers were optimistic about the size and quality of the mid-crop and said that rain had improved soil moisture content. "The trees won't suffer and cocoa will be abundant for the mid-crop because there is enough water in the soil," said Amara Kone, who farms near Duekoue.
"Lots of flowers are turning into small pods. It's a good sign of what is to come," he added.
Scattered rainfall and good growing conditions were also reported in the southern regions of Aboisso, Agboville and Tiassale, the south-western region of San Pedro and the western region of Gagnoa. There was no rain last week in the western region of Soubre, at the heart of the cocoa belt, but trees were still healthy, said farmer Lazare Ake.