Lighter rainfall in most of Ivory Coast's main cocoa-growing regions last week improved prospects for the main cocoa crop, although more sun is needed to boost flowering, farmers said. The light showers were a relief after weeks of heavy rain had flooded plantations and damaged crops in the world's top cocoa producer, farmers said on Monday.
Ivory Coast is in the last stages of the April-to-September mid-crop harvest and the main crop harvest will start officially in October. "It continues to rain but not like in the past weeks. For now it's okay because there is good sun," said Amadou Diallo, who farms on the outskirts of the southern region of Divo. "The soil is full of water. If the sun is strong in the days to come, we will start the main crop with lots of good quality beans," he said.
In the western region of Soubre, in the heart of the cocoa belt, farmers reported average sunny spells and good rain. "There was not heavy rain. The flowers are starting to proliferate on the trees. It's a good sign for the main crop," said Lazare Ake, who farms on the outskirts of Soubre. Similar conditions were reported in the southern regions of Aboisso, Agboville and Tiassale, and in the western regions of Duekoue and Gagnoa.
In the centre-western region of Daloa, which accounts for about a quarter of national output, farmers said there were two downpours last week and average sun. "The harvest will come early if there is lots of sun from this week onwards," said Raphael Kouadio, who farms near Daloa. "Flowering is starting off well compared to last season," he said.
In the coastal region of San Pedro, which has been hit hard by floods, farmers reported several downpours last week and said they were still concerned about the effects of heavy rain. "There is too much humidity. We are worried about pests and diseases on the plantations," said Tchorna Silue, who farms near San Pedro.