Indonesia's cocoa output expected to shrink this year due to rain

Workers dry cocoa beans at a warehouse in Makassar in Indonesia'

Cocoa production in Indonesia is expected to drop this year amid high frequency of rain in the country.

The output of the commodity is estimated to drop by 10 percent this year, compared with that of 400,000 tons last year, Sindra Wijaya, director executive of the country's cocoa association said here on Friday.

"This year's output will resume decline. It is caused by rain that is more frequent," he said.

Cocoa production also dropped last year after El Nino weather phenomenon hit the country, Wijaya added.

The decline may hamper downstream industry in the country, he added.

Indonesia is the world's third largest producer of cocoa after Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana.

Indonesia exports cocoa derivative products to the United States, Europe and Asian countries.

Source : XINHUA