Light rains in most cocoa-growing Ivory Coast last week could damage the final stages of a medium-sized harvest, farmers in the country said this Monday, June 10.
Harvesting cocoa in this country begins in April and ends in September.
In the western region of Subre, in the heart of the country's cocoa belt, farmers said that although drying conditions have improved, more moisture is needed to increase yields.
Data collected by Reuters showed that the amount of rainfall last week in the Subre region, including the Sassandra and San Pedro regions, was 45.1 mm, which is 9.6 mm lower than the five-year average.
Rains were also below average in the central areas of Bongguanu and Yamoussoukro. But farmers said green foliage indicates that the trees are ready to bloom next month.
“The average harvest is coming to an end. Now we are going to focus on preparing for the next, major harvest, ”the farmers say.
The data showed that the amount of precipitation in the Bongguanu region last week was 25 mm, which is 4.6 mm lower than the average for five years.
Similar conditions were recorded in the regions of the south of the country - Agboville and Divo, where the rainfall was also below average.