Light Rains Support Ivory Coast Mid-Crop Development
Mostly above-average light rainfall across Ivory Coast’s main cocoa-growing regions last week is expected to support the development of the April–September mid-crop, according to farmers.
Ivory Coast, the world’s leading cocoa producer, is currently in its dry season, which officially runs from mid-November through March. Despite the seasonal dryness, farmers reported beneficial light showers that are helping pod formation.
Across several cocoa-producing areas, farmers expressed satisfaction with moisture levels, noting that trees are showing no signs of stress. They emphasized that consistent weekly rainfall through mid-March would significantly improve prospects for a mid-crop exceeding last season’s output.
In the central region of Yamoussoukro, rainfall reached 14.5 mm last week, approximately 7.9 mm above the five-year average. Farmers there reported healthy tree conditions and adequate pod development.
In Bongouanou (central region) and Daloa (centre-west), rainfall was also above average, reinforcing optimism for the mid-crop harvest beginning in April and continuing through September.
However, conditions were more mixed in other areas. In Soubré (west) and Divo (south), rainfall was below average. In the southern region of Agboville, rainfall measured 22.8 mm last week, roughly 14.5 mm above the five-year average, although farmers noted that many small pods remain relatively small.
The national weekly average temperature stood at 27.9°C, about 1.7°C above the seasonal average.
Overall, the rainfall pattern is currently favorable, but continued precipitation through the remainder of the dry season will be critical in determining the final size and quality of the 2025/26 mid-crop.
