(Ecofin Agency) - Could the harmattan adversely affect Côte d’Ivoire’s cocoa output this year? That is the question currently on the minds of experts as this Saharan dry wind blowing over West Africa infiltrated Côte d’Ivoire’s cocoa belt few weeks earlier than expected.

If the harmattan was to prolonge, it could kill the young pods and affect soil humidity, thus shrinking the size of beans. Out of the whole basin, only the Soubre region recorded rains, which allow it to sustain till January in case of a prolonged harmattan. “The harmattan got stronger than last week. We fear not only the impact it could have after January but also that on the short season which is to begin in April,” Salame Kone, a producer of the region, told Reuters.

In Daloa, Central region, Gervais Kobenan, another farmer said: “many pods took a yellowish color and fell off the trees due to the Harmattan. If it doesn’t rain till mid-January, we fear for the seedlings. “Production could fall next year”, he added.

Côte d’Ivoire, presently world’s leading cocoa producer previously said it intended to produce 50% of world’s production.

Aaron Akinocho