Industry unaffected: Official

AN official in the cocoa industry says the global market has been good this year despite the Covid-19 pandemic impact on commodities.
Morobe regional manager Anthon Ningi said the price had been fluctuating but was still at an acceptable rate.
“Unlike other commodities, the cocoa price has not plunged so hard,” he said.
“Yes it has fallen, but not so much.
The highest price for Morobe last year was K455 per bag.
“This year, due to the Covid-19, it dropped to almost K395 then picked up to K435, then dropped back to K415 last month,” he said.
“So cocoa farmers have not been greatly impacted.
“They are consistent with their products.”
Meanwhile, Ningi said cocoa in the province still faced smoke-taint issues, and the cocoa board is conducting training to tackle this problem. More than 300 fermentries in Markham have undertaken training.
“These are issues of the market that need to be addressed so we can provide the best to the world.”
Ningi reminded farmers to learn to live with the cocoa pod borer by “maintaining your plots”.
He said the industry continued to run integrated pest and disease management trainings which covered field to husbandry practices.