Rains swell Ivory Coast cocoa crop
Farmers say harvests so far have been more abundant than in 2018
Abidjan — Mixed rains fell over Ivory Coast’s cocoa-growing regions last week, farmers said on Monday, with more showers needed in some areas to boost the April-to-September mid-crop. The rainy season in the world’s biggest cocoa producer runs from mid-March to late October, with heavy showers expected to begin in April. Farmers said their harvests had so far been more abundant than in 2018 and that a mix of showers and sunshine would yield a healthier mid-crop than the previous season. In the western region of Soubre, at the heart of the cocoa belt, farmers said the weather would allow them to harvest twice a month until at least July. “The mid-crop is good, we have already harvested many more beans than last year,” said Julien Beda, who farms near Soubre. “Sunshine will be very important for the next stage of the mid-crop.” Rainfall in Soubre, which includes the regions of Sassandra and San Pedro, was at 27.5mm last week, 8mm above the five-year average. Rainfall was also above ...
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