Ivory Coast Rains Threaten Cocoa Crops
Heavy rains last week in the coastal and southern regions of Ivory Coast's main cocoa growing zone threatened the last stage of the April-to-September mid-crop, farmers said on Monday, though conditions remained good elsewhere. The marketing season for the mid-crop in the world's top cocoa grower opened on April 1 and harvesting is expected to decline from mid-July. Farmers said the focus of growers' concern over the weather was switching to the main crop. "There is too much rain. There's water everywhere in the camps.
Ivory Coast's Abundant Rains Mixed for Cocoa Crop
Abundant and regular rains last week in Ivory Coast's cocoa growing regions raised concerns of crop damage, although conditions were good for the development of the mid-crop elsewhere, farmers said on Monday. The marketing season for the April-to-September mid-crop officially opened on April 1 and harvesting is accelerating rapidly. Farmers in most regions said the weather conditions should allow strong output into July. In the western region of Duekoue, farmers said they were concerned about crop damage as it had rained almost the entire week, leading to flooding in some areas. "The rain has come down hard. There was flooding in some parts and some houses collapsed," said farmer and cooperative manager Amara Kone.
Good Cocoa Harvest Expected on Ivory Coast
Cocoa farmers said on Monday weeks of abundant rain in most of Ivory Coast's principal growing regions will likely ensure good bean quality and robust harvesting into July as long as there is no flooding or outbreaks of disease. The marketing season for the April-to-September mid-crop officially opened on April 1 and harvesting is picking up rapidly. Analysts now predict a better than expected crop in West Africa after forecasts of a supply deficit boosted prices 20 percent last year, and cocoa futures were lower on Monday on the region's improved mid-crop prospects. July cocoa on ICE fell $11 or 0.4 percent to $2,853 a tonne after earlier equalling a three-month low of $2,849 set on Thursday. July cocoa on Liffe fell 12 pounds or 0.7 percent to 1,779 pounds a tonne.
