More sun needed to boost Ivory Coast cocoa main crop, farmers say

Rainfall was below average last week in most of Ivory Coast’s main cocoa-growing regions, but adequate soil moisture continued to support strong flowering on plantations, farmers said on Monday. Ivory Coast, the world’s top cocoa producer, is in its rainy season which runs officially from April to mid-November, when rains are abundant and often heavy. Growers said they were satisfied with the pace of flowering, describing it as the best seen in the past three years for this period. They reported no signs of disease or damage, with green foliage indicating healthy trees but said more sunshine is needed to boost the upcoming October-to-March main crop. Farmers expect a strong main crop harvest but cautioned that weather in August and September will be critical, as overcast skies, insufficient sunshine or excessive rain could trigger disease and affect yields in the October-to-March harvests. “There is very good flowering on the trees. We need more sun because the air is cool,” said ...