Farmers said good soil moisture content in Cote d’Ivore’s cocoa regions is helping pods develop well on trees, making for a strong start for the October-to-March main crop despite below-average rains in most areas.

Cote d’Ivore, the world’s top cocoa producer, is in its rainy season that runs from April-to-mid-November, when rains are usually more abundant and sometimes heavy.

Upland, most farmers said there was no sign of disease on the plantations, where they expect harvesting to increase from September, adding that more rain will be needed in September and October to help the crop be strong from November to at least January.

In the southern regions of Agboville and Divo and in the eastern region of Abengourou rains were also below-average last week. Farmers there said the main crop was promising and the April-to-September mid-crop would finish strong as plenty of almost-ripe pods would be harvested from late August to September.

The centre-western region of Daloa and the central regions of Bongouanou and Yamoussoukro also saw less than average rain.