- COCOBOD promises more cocoa beans in the next crop season.
- The upcoming harvest is expected to be a bumper crop.
- El Nino caused the recent bean shortage, but its impact will fade.
- COCOBOD is supporting farmers to increase production.
Cocoa processing companies in Ghana, which have been struggling to maintain operations due to a severe shortage of cocoa beans, may soon experience a reprieve as the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has assured of a significant increase in cocoa bean supply in the upcoming main crop season.
The main crop season, which is set to commence in October this year, is expected to yield a bumper harvest, according to COCOBOD. This assurance comes at a crucial time for local cocoa processing companies, which have been facing operational difficulties due to a decline in cocoa bean supply resulting from recent low cocoa production.
The low production has been attributed to the effects of the El Nino weather pattern, which had unfavorable conditions for cocoa production, including drought and extreme heat. However, Fiifi Boafo, the Head of Public Affairs at COCOBOD, has alleviated fears of potential shutdowns of some cocoa processing companies due to the bean shortage.
Mr. Boafo noted that the effects of El Nino will not be felt in the next year, leading to expectations of better production. He explained that COCOBOD has put in place measures to ensure that farmers receive the necessary support to increase production, including the distribution of high-yielding seedlings and fertilizers.
With better production expected, COCOBOD is confident that it will be in a better position to supply the required beans to processing factories, which have been struggling to maintain operations due to the bean shortage.
Mr. Boafo assured that “going into the next cocoa season, there will be prospects in terms of bean supply”, adding that COCOBOD is working hard to ensure that the country’s cocoa production returns to its usual levels.
This assurance from COCOBOD is a welcome relief for cocoa processing companies, which have been struggling to maintain operations due to the bean shortage, and is expected to alleviate the operational strains faced by these companies in the upcoming main crop season.
