CRA: Weather in Cocoa Growing Areas Through 16 May 2025

CRA has finished placing its Veriground stations throughout the cocoa area of Ghana. To see the reporting sites, visit “Where We Are” at Veriground.

West Africa. According to Veriground and national stations, rain in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana has been arriving at close to normal rates. The total reported by Côte d’Ivoire national stations for 30 days through 10 May was 133 mm against a 30-year normal of 140 mm and 101-106 mm in recent years excluding 2023 when excess rain flooded the southwest and southeast. VG stations reported 105 mm through 16 May. In Ghana, national stations reported 148 mm through 10 May against a 30-year normal of 141 mm and 117-177 in recent years excluding 2023. VG stations reported 102 mm through 16 May. VG stations indicate that rain probably was distributed broadly in both countries.

Despite these reports, anecdotes from pod counters, farmers and residents say that rain in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana has been sporadic and not enough for good crop development. Crop surveys agree, showing a slow start to the 25/26 main crop. Crop surveyors and residents also 

say that conditions have been hot while neither national stations (Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana) nor VG stations have reported high temperatures relative to normals or recent history. Pod counters do agree with VG stations that conditions have been humid.

Apparently, weather has been close to cocoa’s needs but not sufficient. Forecasts see strong rains moving into the cocoa areas this weekend, 17-18 May. Rain usually increases until late Jun. Although the 25/26 main crop is developing late, there is substantial opportunity for it to accelerate. CRA’s Cocoa Report of 25 Apr showed that temperature in the cocoa areas has been rising over recent decades and has been rising somewhat faster than the global average. CRA is investigating the connections between temperature and yields.

Other areas. There have been no reports from Nigeria. The heavy rain of recent months in Ecuador is slowing. In Brazil, rain near Bahia’s cocoa area rain has slowed to about half of normal for the latest 30 days. Rain in Para also has decreased to two-thirds of normal. Rain in Peru’s cocoa area has been cycling around normal since Feb. Rain in Sulawesi has been slowing toward normal. ENSO. NOAA expects neutral conditions to continue.