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Bean disease affects 81% of major cocoa region in Ghana

Published

2 months ago

July 20, 2024

The International Cocoa Organisation (ICCO) reports that 81% of a significant cocoa-producing region in Ghana, the second-largest cocoa grower in the world, is affected by swollen shoot disease.

Due to unfavourable weather and disease in leading cocoa-producing countries, Ghana and Ivory Coast, prices for the ingredient used in chocolate have nearly doubled this year.

However, expectations are growing for better production the following season. About 60% of the cocoa produced worldwide is produced by the two nations combined.

The data on bean disease in Ghana’s Western North, the country’s third-largest cocoa-producing region by output, cast doubt on hopes for a production rebound partly because they show how severe the outbreak is still.

Usually, within a few years, the swollen shoot virus first lowers yields before killing trees. Cocoa cannot be replanted until the sick trees are removed and the soil is treated.

The ICCO reports that 330,456 hectares of Ghana’s 410,229-hectare Western North region are contaminated. The intergovernmental agency was using information from Ghana’s cocoa sector regulator, Cocobod, through its Cocoa Health and Extension Division (CHED).

At an industry gathering in April, Joseph Aidoo, the chief executive of that industry regulator, said Reuters that 500,000 hectares nationwide—or 25.7% of Ghana’s 1.94 million hectares of cocoa-growing land—were afflicted.

He claimed that an additional 100,000 hectares are unproductive because of old trees and that the nation has already treated an additional 100,000 hectares, opening a new tab for swollen shoot. Replanted trees require two to four years to reach maturity and yield beans following rehabilitation.

“Swollen shoot is a serious problem that’s not improved in the last 12 months and is not going away,” said Steve Wateridge, a veteran world expert on cocoa and head of research at Tropical Research Services by Expana.

The Ivory Coast’s authorities have been more cautious about disclosing the full scope of the outbreak to the public, but the ICCO said that swollen shoot is also spreading there. Wateridge previously informed Reuters that the infection probably affected up to 30% of Ivorian cocoa plants.

Ghana usually produces more than 800,000 tons of cocoa annually, but due to smuggling, disease, aged trees, illegal gold mining, and climate change, it is predicted to produce just over half that amount this season.

Related Topics:Cocoa Cocoa bean Featured Ghana

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Ezz al-Arab appointed as Egypt’s CIB chairman

Published

2 hours ago

September 16, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

Commercial International Bank (CIB), Egypt’s largest private bank, announced on Monday that long-time chairman and previous CEO Hisham Ezz al-Arab will become CEO.

Neveen Sabbour, a board member, will take over as chairman, according to a statement. Hussein Abaza, the outgoing CEO, will be replaced by Ezz al-Arab, who will hold the role for three years.

In Egypt, the market share held by traditional banks is expected to reach US$35.84 billion. As more clients choose online and mobile banking options, Egypt’s banking industry is seeing an increase in digital banking services.

The new appointments are part of “to lead the bank’s multifaceted business transformation and continue its programme to support recognised potential future leaders,” the announcement stated.

Ezz al-Arab, chairman and managing director since 2002, resigned in October 2020 due to “compliance concerns” from the national bank.

In August 2022, a year before his tenure expired, central bank governor Tarek Amer resigned due to a currency crisis. Ezz al-Arab was requested to rejoin as chairman in December.

VenturesNow

Nigerian inflation falls again, drops to 32.15% in August

Published

3 hours ago

September 16, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

Nigeria’s August inflation rate declined for a second month to 32.15% from 33.40% in July, the statistics office reported on Monday. This comes after the month of July saw the first decrease in consumer inflation in Africa’s largest country in almost a year.

Analysts predict August’s slowdown may be short-lived after two gas price increases this month enraged citizens facing the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

The removal of a decades-old gasoline subsidy, devaluation of the naira currency, and increase in energy costs by President Bola Tinubu have raised prices.

Reforms attempt to boost economic growth and public finances.

The central bank’s next interest rate decision next week may be influenced by inflation figures. The apex bank has hiked rates four times this year to curb inflation, and economists say July’s hike may be the last.

Further petrol price increases and northern flooding that swept away crops could raise food prices.

“On the whole, disinflation should continue with the headline rate falling below 30% by year-end, but upside risks remain,” Capital Economics Africa analyst David Omojomolo wrote.

He claimed rising petrol prices might “slow the pace of the disinflation process” and that the central bank would not drop rates until early next year.

Food inflation dropped from 39.53% to 37.52% in August. It remained the greatest inflation driver in August.