Ivory Coast Farmers Worried About Cocoa
Cool, cloudy weather and patchy rainfall in most of Ivory Coast's cocoa growing regions could hinder the development of the next main crop, farmers said recently.
The April-September mid crop in the world's top cocoa producer is tailing off and the focus now is on the forthcoming October-to-March main crop, farmers said.
Farmers said the next two months are crucial as plantations need the right mix of sun and moisture to trigger abundant flowers and help them turn into pods to ensure a productive first three months of the coming campaign.
Early signs suggest the main crop could be around a quarter below its four-year average due to a long dry season for which the current weather has failed to compensate, exporters said.
Roy Luck