A fire outbreak has razed down up to 30 hectares of farmlands in Abia state according to Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN) reported by Bloomberg.
The fire outbreak could result in a 4% drop in supply and a loss of about 11,000 tons of the chocolate ingredient pod during the mid-crop harvest season. In total, the mid-crop harvest ranges between 280,000 tons to 300,000 tons.
The zonal Chairman of CFAN, John Kalu said, fires in Abia State were caused by farmers setting lands ablaze as a quicker and more cost-effective method of clearing land in preparation for the upcoming planting season.
The situation has been exacerbated by strong winds from the prevailing dry Harmattan weather.
