Ivory Coast Mid-Crop Outlook Improves Despite Mixed Rainfall Patterns; Arrivals Continue to Outpace Last Season
Ivory Coast's cocoa sector received encouraging news this week as light but timely rainfall supported the development of the country's crucial mid-crop, while cocoa arrivals at ports continued to run ahead of last season's pace.
According to farmers across Ivory Coast's cocoa-growing regions, rainfall during the past week was generally below historical averages. However, the precipitation was sufficient to improve bean development and support the quality of the March-to-August mid-crop currently being harvested.
The world's largest cocoa producer is currently in its rainy season, which typically extends from April through mid-November. Farmers reported that intermittent showers combined with sunny conditions have created favorable growing conditions for the crop that will be harvested through July.
"These rains are helping strengthen the beans and improve quality," farmers indicated, particularly in southern and coastal growing areas where harvesting activity is ongoing.
Regional Conditions Remain Uneven
While the overall outlook has improved, growing conditions vary significantly across production regions.
In the eastern region of Abengourou, rainfall exceeded seasonal averages, with farmers reporting approximately 59.3 millimeters of rain during the week. Producers in the area noted healthy tree conditions and an increasing number of young pods, raising expectations for continued production through July.
Elsewhere, conditions were less favorable. In western regions such as Soubré and in southern production zones including Agboville and Divo, rainfall remained below average. Nevertheless, farmers remain optimistic that adequate precipitation in June could support a strong August harvest.
The greatest concern lies in west-central and central regions, including Daloa, Bongouanou, and Yamoussoukro, where rainfall deficits persisted. Farmers warned that above-average rainfall during June will be necessary to ensure adequate pod development and avoid tighter supplies later in the season.
"We need plenty of rain in June to boost production," one farmer near Daloa reported after receiving only 10.3 millimeters of rainfall during the week, significantly below normal levels.
Weekly temperatures across cocoa-growing regions remained favorable, ranging between 27.3°C and 30.7°C.
Cocoa Intel
Port Arrivals Maintain Positive Momentum
Supporting the constructive supply outlook, Ivory Coast's cocoa arrivals continue to exceed last season's levels.
Official data showed cumulative cocoa arrivals at Ivorian ports reached 1.659 million metric tons as of May 31, representing a 2.2% increase compared with the same point in the 2024/25 season.
The latest figures indicate that exporters delivered approximately 22,000 tons of cocoa to the ports of Abidjan and San Pedro between May 25 and May 31. Weekly arrivals were unchanged from the corresponding week a year earlier, suggesting stable near-term supply flows.
Source: Reuters, June 1, 2026. Reporting by Loucoumane Coulibaly and Ange Aboa.
