![Weather threatens cocoa harvest in Côte d’Ivoire [World News]](https://foodcom.pl/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Foodcom_World_News_Global-1520x760.jpg "Weather threatens cocoa harvest in Côte d’Ivoire [World News]")
- Unfavorable weather in Côte d’Ivoire could jeopardize the harvest early next year.
- Some areas of the country are seeing limited rainfall, while others are getting enough rain to produce a satisfactory crop.
- This situation contributes to cocoa price forecasts for next year, which say prices will remain high.
What is the current cocoa crop in Côte d’Ivoire like?
Farmers in many regions of Côte d’Ivoire are concerned about their cocoa crops. The country is the largest cocoa producer in the world. It has a dry season from mid-November to March, but this year’s drought, high temperatures and lack of rainfall are particularly worrying growers. Some regions, such as Daloa, Bongouanou and Yamoussoukro, are suffering from drought, where rainfall is non-existent or observed at levels well below the five-year average. In the Soubre and Agboville regions, on the other hand, an abundant harvest is expected in January, as rainfall in recent weeks has reached levels well above average.
The weather may affect the harvest in February and March. In many areas, small pods are predicted to develop and poor grain quality. The dry Harmattan wind blowing from the Sahara between December and March, the strength of which is variable this year, may further dry out the soil and damage the cocoa pods.
Cocoa market situation
Cocoa prices increased significantly in the period up to May this year, but remained fairly stable until November. There is now a significant increase in cocoa prices, which in recent days have even reached a higher value than at the end of April – above $12,500 per tonne. Experts predict that high cocoa prices will continue next year, influenced by high demand, climate change, supply challenges and keeping the crop and cocoa stocks at the right level.
