Ivorian producers face concerns about the impact of the Harmattan wind on the cocoa harvest

Farmers in several regions of Côte d’Ivoire, the world’s largest cocoa producer, are on alert due to the impact of the Harmattan wind. This seasonal wind, which blows from the Sahara Desert between December and March, is known to dry out the soil and impair the development of cocoa pods, threatening crop productivity. In recent weeks, the Harmattan has intensified in several producing areas, while rainfall remains below average. This combination exacerbates the challenges faced by farmers, especially at a critical time for pod formation. Côte d’Ivoire is in its dry season, which typically runs from mid-November to March, when rainfall is naturally scarce. Despite this, farmers say there are still enough pods on the cocoa trees to sustain the harvest until the end of January. However, without adequate rainfall, production prospects could fall dramatically after that. Regions such as Daloa, Yamoussoukro and Bongouanou have already reported rainfall well below the historical average. ...