RAINFALL was below average last week across Ivory Coast’s cocoa-growing regions, but farmers remained hopeful of an abundant April-to-September mid-crop provided the rains pick up as expected this month.
Ivory Coast, the world’s top cocoa producer, is entering its rainy season, which runs from April to mid-November.
Overcast skies are becoming more common across the country, and farmers are expecting heavier rains to follow suit.
“If the rains are abundant and regular this month and next month, the quality of the beans will be better compared to last season,” said Salame Kone, who farms near Soubre, the heart of Ivory Coast’s cocoa belt.
Data collected by Reuters showed rainfall in Soubre was 13.8 millimeters (mm) last week, 3.3 mm below the five-year average.
Other farmers in Soubre described favorable mid-crop development, adding that trees were abundant with fruit despite the underwhelming rains. Farmers in the southern regions of Agboville and
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