CRA: Weather in Cocoa Growing Areas Through 5 December 2024

Weather in most major cocoa growing areas has been irregular during 2024 and continues to be irregular. Rain often has been less than normal. Some temperatures have been above past norms.

West Africa. Rain at CRA’s Veriground stations in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Nigeria has been less than during the preceding four seasons for most months of 2024. After returning to about typical amounts in Côte d’Ivoire during Oct and slightly less in Ghana, rain has slowed ahead the pattern during preceding years. Residents have observed that the Harmattan appears to be starting early. Rain reports at the handful of national stations (C, G, N) show a larger decline. Relative humidity has been decreasing but has not been exceptionally low. National stations report high temperatures that exceed past years (C, G, N), whereas VG stations indicate that high temperatures have been less than in the preceding four years of CRA history. The difference probably is due to the location of stations. Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Nigeria have 7-8 stations each, all in cities and often close to airport tarmac. Veriground stations usually are away from these places and in the countryside.

Other areas. Ecuador. Rain at Veriground stations and national stations has been almost nil for five months, Jul-Nov, and humidity has been decreasing. During recent days, Veriground stations have reported small amounts of rain. Rain may be returning. Temperatures during the low-rain period have been average. Rain in Peru’s cocoa area, about 850 km from the center of Ecuador’s cocoa area, increased during Oct and has continued at about twice normal. Heavy rain and flooding have been reported on Colombia’s northern Pacific coast. The rains around Ecuador point to a return also in Ecuador. Brazil. Rain near Bahia’s cocoa has slowed to about half of normal during the past 90 days. Rain for Para’s cocoa started late and is returning slowly. Like Bahia it has been only about half of normal. Temperatures in Bahia and Para remain high. Sulawesi rain has been typical. ENSO. The met offices expect a light La Niña at most.