Abidjan (Business Emerge), October 8: Above-average rainfall across most of Côte d’Ivoire’s primary cocoa-growing regions has fueled optimism among farmers for a prosperous harvest during the current October to March season. As the world’s leading cocoa producer, Côte d’Ivoire is in the midst of its rainy season, which stretches from April to mid-November.
Farmers have reported that the rains have fostered the healthy development of cocoa pods ahead of next year’s harvest. Compared to the previous season, more cocoa beans have already been harvested, although some farmers have raised concerns about cloudy conditions, which may hinder proper drying.
“We’ve had a good start,” shared Innocent Adiane, a farmer in the eastern region of Abengourou. “The cocoa pods are abundant, but sunshine is essential to dry them properly.”
Similar sentiments were echoed in the southern regions of Agboville and Divo, where rainfall has also exceeded seasonal averages. In the western region of Soubre, although rainfall was below average, some farms experienced flooding due to an overflowing river, impacting crops.
Demand for high-quality beans is robust, as farmers and cooperative members note buyers are eager to secure their supply. Buyers, on the other hand, anticipate fulfilling their contracts for the year ahead of schedule.
In the central and western regions of Daloa and Yamoussoukro, rainfall was lower last week, whereas Bongouanou saw above-average precipitation. Despite these variations, farmers in these areas reported strong yields, selling at the government-set farmgate price of 1,800 CFA francs per kilogram for the 2024/25 season.
“We’re expecting to earn significantly this season,” said Julien Aka, a farmer near Bongouanou, where 37.9 millimeters (1.49 inches) of rain was recorded last week, surpassing the average by 12.9 millimeters. Weekly temperatures ranged between 24.2 and 26.9 degrees Celsius (75.56°F to 80.42°F), contributing to favorable conditions for the crop.