Cocoa farmers in Côte d’Ivoire are urging for increased rainfall to support the October-to-March main harvest, as below-average rainfall and the encroaching Harmattan wind threaten crop quality. The dry season, spanning mid-November to March, has seen limited downpours, prompting concerns about soil conditions and cocoa pod health.
Farmers in central regions like Daloa, Yamoussoukro, and Bongouanou reported little to no rain last week, with Bongouanou recording only 0.3 millimeters, significantly below the five-year average of 4 millimeters. They warned that persistent dry conditions, combined with the Harmattan’s drying effect, could harm cocoa quality by mid-January.
“The rains are very weak, and if the Harmattan strengthens, we’ll face quality issues next month,” said Basile Atta, a farmer near Bongouanou. The seasonal wind, which originates from the Sahara Desert, typically affects crops between December and March, causing smaller pods and reducing yields.
In southern and eastern regions, including Soubre, Divo, Agboville, and Abengourou, rainfall levels were also below average. However, farmers noted that existing conditions had allowed the crop to hold steady, with pods still available for harvesting. “The trees are doing well, though more rain would help boost the harvest,” said Salame Kone, a farmer in Soubre, which received 8.3 millimeters of rain last week—5.7 millimeters below the regional norm.
Cocoa buyers have also highlighted logistical challenges, citing deteriorating roads to San Pedro port. While warehouses in Abidjan remain stocked with beans, transporting supplies to San Pedro has become increasingly difficult.
Last week, temperatures across the country ranged from 27 to 27.7 degrees Celsius, contributing to the ongoing dry conditions.
