ABIDJAN, Oct 21 (Reuters) – Lighter rains combined with sunshine throughout most of Ivory Coast’s cocoa-growing areas will increase the October-to-March foremost crop after weeks of heavy rain triggered illness to unfold, farmers mentioned on Monday.
The advertising and marketing season in Ivory Coast, the world’s high cocoa producer, opened in early October with a brand new farmgate worth of 825 CFA francs ($1.42) per kg set by the federal government.
Weeks of moist climate culminated final week in among the heaviest rains seen by cocoa farmers in 5 years, disturbing crop growth and inflicting black pod illness to unfold on some plantations, they mentioned.
Due to the rains, the soil ought to keep moist sufficient for weeks to return, however extra sunny spells will likely be wanted as the majority of the harvest happens between November to January, farmers mentioned.
Extra beans are leaving the bush in October in comparison with the identical interval final yr, farmers mentioned, however excessive moisture content material has already triggered a number of deliveries to be rejected by consumers and…