Ivory Coast Weather Improving Main Cocoa Crop Prospects
Favourable weather conditions across Ivory Coast’s main cocoa-growing regions are expected to support the size and duration of the 2025/26 main crop, according to farmers cited by Reuters. Above-average rainfall combined with regular sunny intervals over recent weeks has improved soil moisture and strengthened trees during the critical pod-development phase of the October-to-March harvest.
Ivory Coast, the world’s largest cocoa producer, is currently in its dry season, when rainfall is typically limited. However, farmers report that consistent weekly showers through December are helping cocoa trees reach peak potential ahead of January and February, traditionally the most productive months of the main crop. Adequate moisture is also expected to help trees better withstand the Harmattan winds, which usually arrive from the Sahara later in the season and can reduce yields by drying out pods.
In central regions such as Yamoussoukro, rainfall last week exceeded the five-year average, while farmers in the centre-western Daloa belt reported steady bean development and expectations of a delayed and potentially milder Harmattan impact. Southern and eastern regions, including Agboville and Abengourou, also recorded above-average rainfall, allowing harvesting activity to continue smoothly.
Farmers noted abundant small pods on trees, highlighting the importance of continued moisture to support pod filling. While some western areas saw slightly below-average rainfall, conditions were still sufficient to sustain harvesting operations. Warehouses in certain regions were reported to be near capacity, reflecting strong arrivals.
Weekly average temperatures across cocoa regions ranged between 26.2°C and 30.3°C, remaining within favourable limits for cocoa growth.
Source: Reuters
