Heavy rain in Ivory Coast continued to batter the cocoa mid-crop last week but could spur a strong and early start for the October-to-March main crop if there is adequate sun this month, farmers said on Monday. The world's top cocoa producer is in its rainy season and downpours are expected until at least mid-July. Weeks of heavy rain and a lack of sun have caused flooding and rot in key cocoa-growing regions.
Farmers are now looking toward the main crop as the April-to-September mid-crop winds down. Saying that the rain could help to produce an abundant and possibly early harvest. "Everyone here is waiting for the sun to come out because there is too much moisture on the plantations. If there is sun, the cocoa will be abundant and of good quality in September," said Amadou Diallo, who farms near Divo.
Heavy rain was reported in the southern regions of Aboisso, Agboville and Tiassale, the western regions of Duekoue and Gagnoa and the coastal regions of Sassandra and San Pedro. In the western region of Soubre, at the heart of the cocoa belt, farmers reported several downpours last week. "The soil is full of water. It's good for the main crop, if the sun comes out," said Salame Kone, who farms on the outskirts of Soubre.
"With the heat, we'll have lots of flowers on the trees this month and the main-crop harvest could come early." In the centre-western region of Daloa which accounts for a quarter of national output, farmers reported similar conditions.