(Ecofin Agency) - The Ivorian government forecasts an output of 500, 000 tons of cocoa for the 2017-18 light crop, Reuter’s reports. This figure which represents an increase by 100, 000 tons compared to previous prospects, is however down 20, 000 tons from last season.

Although this good impetus should help the country hit the record of 2 million tons reached in 2016/2017, the optimism remains to be  relativized.

According to many producers interviewed by Reuters, abundant rains will still be needed to boost the good level of soil moisture and complete the final phase of this mid-crop.

“We have already harvested for the first time and there are still many small fruits left on the trees for later. If we have good rains this month we will have a lot of high-quality cocoa in two months,” said Amadou Diallo, a farmer in the region of Divo.

Let’s recall that, the farm gate price of cocoa has been set at CFA700.

Espoir Olodo