"Weather conditions, disease devastate Ghana’s cocoa sector; production estimated at 492,000mt for 2023\/24 season"

" Weather conditions, disease devastate Ghana's cocoa sector; production estimated at 492,000mt for 2023\/24 season \r\n\r\nProjections for total cocoa production for the 2023\/24 crop season indicate a notable decrease to about 492,000 metric tons of cocoa beans, marking a significant 27.9% drop from the 2022\/2023 season's recorded yield of 683,000 metric tons.\r\n\r\nThe more than 328,000mt reduction in cocoa production for the current year is attributed to adverse weather conditions, a surge in smuggling activities, the pervasive impact of illegal gold mining and the prevalence of the cocoa swollen shoot disease.\r\n\r\nGhana's cocoa production has witnessed a downward trend over the past few years, with the 2021\/2022 crop season yielding approximately 750,000 metric tons of cocoa beans.\r\n\r\nConcerns are mounting among stakeholders regarding this year's decline, prompting calls for decisive action from regulatory bodies such as the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) and other industry players.\r\n\r\nForeign media outlet, Reuters, has reported that Ghana\u2019s cocoa output for the 2023\/24 season is expected to go down by almost 40%, below a target of 820,000 metric tons.\r\n\r\nThe projected decline for this year's season could have implications for the country\u2019s trade surplus since cocoa is one of the country's major traditional export earnings.\r\n\r\nCOCOBOD disclosed earlier this month that the cocoa swollen shoot virus had devastated approximately 500,000 hectares of cocoa farmlands.\r\n\r\nBut despite the current predicament, some stakeholders in the cocoa industry remain optimistic about Ghana\u2019s potential for production recovery.\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n\r\nThe looming decline in cocoa production underscores the pressing need for concerted action and collaboration among regulatory bodies, industry players, and other stakeholders to address systemic challenges and safeguard the resilience and sustainability of Ghana's cocoa sector in the face of mounting adversities.\r\n\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n "

"Weather conditions, disease devastate Ghana’s cocoa sector; production estimated at 492,000mt for 2023\/24 season"

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