Light rains mixed with average sun last week in most of Ivory Coast's main cocoa-growing areas was good for the growth of the crop, but overly humid conditions had led to an outbreak of black pod disease the Daloa region, farmers said on Monday. The harvest for the October-to-March crop is expected to start early this year, in mid-September, and farmers said now was crucial, as adequate rains and hot weather would be needed to strengthen the quality.
Cocoa needs the right mix of sun and rain to grow well. Too much sun and trees can quickly wither; too much rain and they become susceptible to pests. Data collected by Reuters showed in the past week rainfall in Daloa region including Bouafle was at 28.8 millimetres, or 0.1 mm below the normal. Rains in Soubre region including San Pedro and Sassandra was at 16mm, or 0.4 mm above the normal while in Man region received 55.7 mm, corresponding to 17 mm above the normal.
However forecast average temperatures until the end of the week range from 23.9 to 26.2 degrees Celsius in most regions. In Daloa, which produces about a quarter of national output, farmers said it had rained almost constantly and the sky was mostly overcast, triggering an outbreak of fungal black pod disease. "Black bod is starting to spread in the plantations. The farmers are very worried there will be a lot of losses in the next few weeks," said Albert N'Zue, who farms near Daloa.
"A lot of farmers haven't received their pesticides from the Coffee and Cocoa Council to treat their farms," he added. In the western region of Soubre, at the heart of the cocoa belt, farmers also reported regular light rains and adequate sun. "We're more optimistic. There are already lots of pods of different sizes on the trees," said Lazare Ake, who farms near Soubre. "And there's plenty of sun."
In the western region of Duekoue, farmers said the weather was just right to ensure a healthy main crop. Good growing conditions were reported in southern regions of Agboville, Divo and Tiassale, in western regions of Gagnoa and Meagui, and the coastal region of Sassandra.