Ivory Coast Cocoa Farmers Hope for More Rain

Farmers in Ivory Coast say they need more rainfall to boost the quality of cocoa beans for the mid crop harvest, which runs from March to August. The country is the world’s largest cocoa producer and is currently in its rainy season, which officially lasts from April to mid November.

Last week, rainfall was below average across most cocoa growing regions. Farmers told Reuters that while trees are bearing a healthy mix of pods, steady rain is needed to improve bean size and quality. Harvesting has already begun and is expected to pick up between May and July.

In the west central region of Daloa, as well as Bongouanou and Yamoussoukro in central Ivory Coast, rainfall was lower than normal. Albert N’Zue, a farmer near Daloa, said only 9.7 millimetres of rain fell last week, which is nearly 12 millimetres below the five year average. “It’s very hot. The beans are well dried, but the trees need enough rain for the rest of the mid crop season,” he explained.

Farmers noted that the heat is helping beans already harvested to dry properly, but they remain concerned about the pods still on trees. Many expect more rain soon, pointing to cloudy skies as a hopeful sign.

In the western region of Soubre, rainfall was above average, with 28.6 millimetres recorded last week, about 6 millimetres more than the five year average. Kouassi Kouame, a farmer in the area, said, “We need plenty of steady rain to grow large, high quality beans.” Farmers in Abengourou in the east, and Agboville and Divo in the south, also said regular rainfall is essential to improve the beans that will be harvested in the coming weeks.

Despite uneven rainfall, farmers across the country remain cautiously optimistic. They say conditions so far are not threatening the trees, which are producing pods of different sizes. However, they stress that consistent rain is necessary to ensure the mid crop meets expectations.

Weekly average temperatures across Ivory Coast last week ranged between 29 and 33.2 degrees Celsius. While the heat is helping with drying, farmers worry that without more rain, the mid crop could fall short in both quality and quantity.

The mid crop is smaller than the main harvest, which runs from October to March, but it is still important for farmers’ incomes and for global cocoa supply. Ivory Coast produces about 40 percent of the world’s cocoa, and weather conditions in the country have a direct impact on international prices.

Farmers say they are watching the skies closely. If rains arrive in May and continue steadily through July, they believe the mid crop will be strong. If not, bean quality could suffer, affecting both local livelihoods and global markets.