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· Good rainfall last week in most of Ivory Coast’s cocoa regions brightened the outlook for the main crop harvest
· However, some farmers have expressed concerns about bean quality and the impact of electoral tensions on Coco output
Good rainfall last week in most of Ivory Coast’s cocoa regions brightened the outlook for the main crop harvest. However, some farmers have expressed concerns about bean quality and the impact of electoral tensions on Coco output. Ivory Coast is one of the world’s top cocoa producers. The crop this year picked up significantly thanks to good soil moisture. They expect output to exceed last season’s haul.
The heavy rains have caused flutters in some corners. Some farmers and traders fear that it would affect the quality of beans. Incessant rains can lead to fungus or bacterial attack on beans making them mold. There are also fears cropped from the coming general elections. President Alassane Ouattara is contesting for a third term despite opposition protests that he is violating constitutional term limits. Farmers feel that coco market will get disrupted if there are widespread agitations against him contesting the elections.
However, as things stand now, farmers are expecting a good crop. Whether this would be accompanied by good price and exports is something that the people are eagerly awaiting.
