KEY POINTS
- Ivory Coast’s cocoa harvest is at risk from drought and heat.
- Farmers say Harmattan winds are drying out soil and pods.
- Harvest forecasts for February and March remain uncertain.
Cocoa farmers across Ivory Coast are raising alarms over the impact of reduced rainfall and intense heat on their crops.
As the world’s top cocoa producer, any disruptions in the cocoa harvest could have far-reaching consequences for global chocolate production.
The dry season, which runs from mid-November to March, is a crucial period for cocoa farming.
Farmers in most growing regions, except for Soubre and Abgoville, are worried about the effects of insufficient rainfall and the notorious Harmattan wind.
“The rains are scarce, and it’s very hot. We’re worried about what’s to come,” said Arthur Brou, a cocoa farmer near Daloa. His region recorded just 0.2 mm of rain last week, 4 mm below the five-year average.
Farmers are concerned that the extreme weather will affect small cocoa pods set to be harvested in February and March.
Dry conditions and extreme heat can shrink the pods, impacting bean quality and size.
Harmattan winds and heat threaten cocoa crop health
The Harmattan wind, which typically blows from the Sahara Desert between December and March, has become a major concern for farmers this season.
The wind is known for drying out the soil and cocoa pods, often leaving them smaller and less marketable.
Farmers reported fluctuating wind strength in central regions like Bongouanou and Yamoussoukro.
Sometimes it was mild, but other times, it grew intense. Fortunately, there has been no significant damage to plantations so far.
In regions like Divo and Abengourou, farmers expect the cocoa harvest to shift from the main crop to the mid-crop phase by late December.
However, many fear that without timely rainfall, this transition will not yield the desired results.
Farmers in Soubre, which recorded 16.4 mm of rain last week — 6.8 mm above the five-year average — are more optimistic.
According to farmer Salame Kone, “Many beans will leave the bush in January,” signaling a potential boom in cocoa harvesting activity in the region.
Impact on global cocoa supply and farmer livelihoods
With Ivory Coast being the world’s leading cocoa producer, changes in its harvest could affect the global cocoa supply chain and chocolate prices.
Farmers fear that poor harvests in February and March could lead to financial hardship for families dependent on cocoa farming.
Low rainfall and increased temperatures could also reduce the overall quality of cocoa beans. The impact may be felt on international markets where demand for high-quality cocoa remains high.
As global temperatures rise due to climate change, West African cocoa-producing countries like Ivory Coast face the brunt of its effects.
Farmers are urging authorities to support irrigation systems and weather-resistant farming practices to protect future harvests.
According to Reuters, the average temperature in Ivory Coast last week ranged from 27.9 to 28.9 degrees Celsius, further intensifying fears of heat stress on crops.
Farmers hope for more rainfall before the Harmattan wind peaks, but for now, they are bracing for a challenging harvest season.
