Ivory Coast raises cocoa harvest forecast by 10% for 2024-2025

Ivory Coast, the world’s largest cocoa producer, has revised upward its production forecast for the 2024-2025 season, projecting a harvest of between 2.1 million and 2.2 million tonnes. The more optimistic forecast came after a new pod count carried out in September, sources familiar with the data said, asking not to be identified. The forecast represents a significant increase compared to the previous harvest, which was hampered by adverse weather conditions and disease, resulting in a production of 1.8 million tonnes. In June 2024, the numbers began to recover, reaching 2 million tonnes. According to estimates from the International Cocoa Organization, the current scenario suggests a more positive cycle, mainly due to the favorable weather that should continue until September 2025. In the last two weeks, Ivory Coast has been facing heavy rains, which, although they are temporarily interrupting the harvest and transport of cocoa, could benefit production in the medium and long ...