Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Unseasonal Rains Brighten Ivory Coast Cocoa Mid-Crop Outlook

Government pledges purchases of unsold beans after a price slide left many producers unpaid.

Overview

  • Mostly above-average light showers last week during the dry season boosted pod growth for the April–September crop, farmers said.
  • Growers report trees show no stress thanks to ample moisture and say steady weekly rain through mid-March could surpass last season’s output.
  • Rainfall varied by region, including 14.5 mm in Yamoussoukro (7.9 mm above the five-year average) and 22.8 mm in Agboville (14.5 mm above average), with Daloa, Soubre and Divo below average.
  • Farmers expect a tepid start to harvesting in April with volumes building from May through September.
  • Synapci estimates about 700,000 tons remain unsold after prices fell and exports slowed since October, and authorities say they will buy stocks to sustain payments to farmers.