This season, the average cocoa harvest in Côte d'Ivoire is expected to reach a record 600,000 tons, up 20% from the previous season, exporters reported on Friday, June 21.

Between mid-April and June 16, about 412,000 tons of beans were delivered to the Ivorian ports of Abidjan and San Pedro, which is about 23% more than in the same period last season.

The average cocoa harvest from the world's largest producer, usually ranges from 300,000 to 400,000 tons per season, with a record 500,000 tons last season.

“600,000 tons is really the minimum for this year. In recent years, we have seen how thousands of small plantations have evolved, as well as others that are just starting out, ”one of the exporters told Reuters.

Exporters estimate that the average crop in Ghana, the second largest producer after Côte d'Ivoire, fell to 120-130,000 tons this season, an increase of about 50% from 250,000 tons last season.

But the decline will be offset by production in Côte d'Ivoire, export and accounting experts added. “These two countries will not have a surplus or deficit. We will meet market requirements, ”one of the cocoa exporters told Reuters.