ABIDJAN (Reuters) - Cloudy skies and cool temperatures across most of Ivory Coast's principal cocoa regions last week triggered the fungal black pod disease, a potential threat to early main crop production, farmers and analysts said on Monday.
The 2011/2012 cocoa season, which wraps up at the end of September is expected to fall short of the previous year's record harvest due to poor rainfall.
However, regular showers since the rainy season began in April had given a boost to cocoa development, and farmers say trees are currently producing more pods than during the same period last year. Some farmers have even predicted an early start to the main crop harvest, which is marketed from October 1.
Unfortunately, those same humid conditions have led to the first appearances of black pod disease. While not yet a serious threat to main crop harvests, farmers fear continued overcast conditions this month could lead to the disease spreading.
In the western region of Soubre, in the heart of the cocoa belt, an analyst reported 12 millimetres of rainfall compared with 15 mm the previous week.
'There hasn't been any sunshine. There was a bit of rain, and the skies were always overcast,' said Emile Konan, who farms on the outskirts of Soubre.
'The black pod has started. We've seen a few pods on the plantations that have darkened. But for the now it's not alarming,' he said.
In the southeastern region of Aboisso, an analyst reported 1.5 mm of rainfall, down from 8 mm the previous week.
'It's cool and we haven't had any sun. It's not good for the main crop. We've sprayed with chemicals, but the black pod has appeared,' said Jean Tano, who farms near Aboisso.
'If these cool temperatures continue, it's going to spread. Lots of pods will be destroyed and there won't be much cocoa at the beginning of the campaign,' he said.
The western region of Duekoue saw heavy showers last week, farmers said.
'It rained hard for four days. We had a bit of sunshine for two days. There are lots of big pods on the trees, but we're worried that they will be destroyed by disease,' said Duekoue farmer Amara Kone.
In the western region of Gagnoa and in the southern region of Agboville and Divo, farmers were also concerned about the cool temperatures and cloudy weather.
In the western region of Daloa, the origin of about a quarter of Ivory Coast's national output, farmers said persistent cloudy weather was beginning to lower expectations for the opening of the main crop.
'It's not really raining, and during this period we need lots of sunshine if we want plenty of cocoa at the beginning of the harvest,' said Attoungbre Kouame, who farms on the outskirts of Daloa.
In the eastern region of Abengourou, one analyst said there was no rain reported, compared with 12 mm the week before.
'The cool temperatures are turning some of the charelles (small pods) yellow. We really need the sun if the pods are to properly develop,' said local farmer Joseph Amani.
In the coastal region of San Pedro, which saw a late start to the rainy season, farmers said they were expecting a poor main crop this year.
'The rains haven't been good here this year. We won't have much for the main crop, because there are very few pods on the trees now, compared with last season,' said Labbe Zoungrana, who farms near San Pedro.
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