CRA: Weather in Cocoa Growing Areas Through 14 December 2024

Weather in most major cocoa growing areas during 2024 has been often less than normal. Some temperatures have been above past norms.

West Africa. Rain at CRA’s Veriground stations in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana has been less than during the matching months of the preceding years 2020-2023. During the latest 30 days, Veriground

stations in Côte d’Ivoire reported 15.7 mm. National stations reported only 2.0 mm in the cities near cocoa. VG stations in Ghana reported 23.5 mm during the latest 30 days and Ghana national stations reported 16.8 mm. National stations in Nigeria reported 6.0 mm. All are substantially below norms and below matching periods of recent years. Ten-day amounts in all countries were near zero at national stations. VG stations were reporting small amounts in the countryside.

Temperatures: Many anecdotes have reported high temperatures. Temperatures are sensitive to location. During 1-10 Dec, national stations of Ghana reported that the average high was 35.4°C and the average low was 21.0° against 30-year normals of 33.9° and 21.3°. VG stations reported slightly lower high temperatures, 33.2°, and warmer low temperatures, 22.8°. The differences are reasonable because VG stations are outside cities, where vegetation and shade are common. Another set of reports from crop surveyors gave very different readings, 29.4° and 27.0°. Despite the differences, the averages of high and low from each source fell within 0.2° of the others: 28.2 per the national stations and surveyors’ report and 28.0 per the VG report. The average of the 30-year normal high and normal low was 27.6°. Across the three reports, the readings are consistent, but different. The differences result from where the readings were made. Like rain, any temperature must be evaluated in the context of its location.

Other areas. Small amounts of rain have returned to Ecuador. National stations reported 3 mm during 1-10 Dec. VG stations reported 37 mm during the 10 days through about 13 Dec. Rain in Peru’s cocoa area has slowed to normal after falling at twice normal during Nov. Brazil. Rain near Bahia’s cocoa has been only about half normal, 57 mm/mnth for during the latest two months compared with a130 mm norm. Rain for Para’s cocoa started late and still is slow, 52 mm/mnth compared to 102 mm norm. High temperatures in Bahia and Para have decreased but remain high compared to norms. Sulawesi rain has increased to about two-thirds more than normal in the latest 30 days. Except for a normal period during Sep-Oct, 2024 rain has been heavy. ENSO. No change, a light La Niña at most.