West Africa. Rain continued for several days after the showers on 24 Jan brought an end to seven weeks of almost no rain. Moderate rain in Côte d’Ivoire, in some places significant, lasted through 29 Jan. Rain was reported at 29 of 75 Veriground localities. Small amounts at a few places were reported through 2 Feb. The 10-day sum across all localities was 16 mm and the 30-day sum was 21 mm in a range for the 30-day sum
during recent years of 1.3 (2022) to 31.2 mm (2024). In Ghana, rain reached 8 of 40 localities on the 29th and continued, reaching 10 of 40 localities on 1 Feb and 13 on 2 Feb. Localities reporting rain often change from day to day. Rain at a few places was heavy. The 30-day sum across localities was 14 mm in a range during recent years of 2.0 mm (2022) to 33.5 mm (2021). Reports from national stations were not available. Forecasts anticipate a few millimeters returning widely to Côte d’Ivoire on 8-9 Feb and to Ghana on 7-9 Feb.
In Nigeria, national reports show almost no rain. There is no reliable reporting in the cocoa area except at Ibadan.
Other areas. Rain has slowed in Ecuador’s cocoa areas according to both national and Veriground stations with about 100 mm in the latest 30 days. Residents of Ecuador reported in mid Jan that that the weather for cocoa was excellent. In Brazil, rain near Bahia’s cocoa area has recovered from a low period to about 80 mm/70% of normal during Jan. Rain in Para’s cocoa area was close to normal at 240 mm during Jan. Rain in Peru’s cocoa area has slowed after good amounts in Nov of about 135 mm, approaching twice normal, to 51 mm, 60% of normal, in Jan. Rain in Sulawesi often has been a quarter above normal, reaching almost 500 mm per month during Dec and Jan. No problems with the crops have been reported. A positive effect of heavy rain in Indonesia is that it slows the spread of the pod borer insect. ENSO. No change and no new information. The U.S. met office considers that a weak La Niña is present and will continue through about Apr.
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