![Cocoa intercrop production at risk in Ivory Coast – weather improvement necessary [World News]](https://foodcom.pl/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Foodcom_World_News_Global-1520x760.jpg "Cocoa intercrop production at risk in Ivory Coast – weather improvement necessary [World News]")
- Côte d’Ivoire is experiencing a drought and rainfall is well below average in most areas.
- The high temperatures and drought can weaken the cocoa trees and negatively affect the development of the pods.
- Currently, the soil moisture is sufficient to ensure a satisfactory yield, but heavy rain will be necessary in the coming weeks.
- A lack of sufficient rain from April to June could lead to even greater losses.
Drought in Africa delays emergence of satisfactory cocoa crop
Côte d’Ivoire, the world’s largest cocoa producer, is currently in the dry season, which runs from November to March. In most growing regions, rains are even more sparse and infrequent than average at this time of year, and good weather conditions are required for favourable intercrop development. If temperatures continue to rise and solid downpours do not occur – cocoa yields could fall by up to 40% compared to the average. Even if the weather changes, the current drought could adversely affect the size and quality of the beans and cause delays in cocoa exports.
What’s next for the crop? The arrival of rain could save cocoa
Farmers report that last week’s rainfall was sufficient to support pod development, but rising temperatures mean that heavy rains are needed from next week until the end of April to increase intercrop production and ensure satisfactory bean quality. Temperatures are rising week by week and a continuation of this trend could weaken trees and expose young pods to damage if more abundant rainfall does not occur. Rainfall has been erratic, with most areas of Côte d’Ivoire receiving up to twice the five-year average, but there are also areas with above-average rainfall and farmers are enjoying developed pods, promising a long and abundant intercrop.
