Cote d’Ivoire signals strong yield from this year's main cocoa crop

Many of the country’s cocoa farmers said they are encouraged by good soil moisture content in many regions that are helping pods develop well on trees.

The world’s top cocoa producer is in the middle of its rainy season that runs from April-to-mid-November, when rains are usually more abundant and sometimes heavy,

Upland, most farmers said there was no sign of disease on the plantations, where they expect harvesting to increase from September. More rain will be needed in September and October to help the crop be strong from November to at least January, they told Reuters.

"Everything's going well for the main crop. We expect lots of cocoa from October​."

In the southern regions of Agboville and Divo and in the eastern region of Abengourou rains were also below-average last week, Reuters reported.

Farmers also told local media that the main crop was “promising​” and the April-to-September mid-crop would finish strong as plenty of almost-ripe pods would be harvested from late August to September.