The lack of rains, coupled with last week's hot weather conditions in most parts of Ivory Coast's cocoa-growing regions, extended a dry season that could trim cocoa output as the country enters the last stage of its main crop harvest.

The lack of rains could also affect the quality of the April-September mid-crop.

An unusually long season of the dry harmattan winds has undermined Ivorian cocoa production.

In the centre-western region of Daloa, which produces about a quarter of the country's national output, farmers reported no showers for more than a week.

"There are no rains and it is very hot. This is not good for the rest of the cocoa season," said Marcel Aka, who farms near Daloa.

In the western region of Soubre, at the heart of the Ivorian cocoa belt, farmers said the lack of rain could reduce the bean size, making it difficult to get export-quality beans.

"There are little or no pods on trees and farmers will not have enough good quality beans to sell to exporters in the coming weeks," said Salam Kone.

In the southern region of Divo, farmers said the mid-crop would be delayed as trees had lost their leaves after the prolonged drought.

"The mid-crop will start a bit later because the trees will need to regenerate their leaves first. We hope the rains will start as soon as possible," said Amadou Diallo.

Similar conditions were reported in the eastern region of Abengourou and the western regions of Bouafle and Gagnoa.