When Are Cocoa Pods Harvested?

The season to harvest the cacao pods arrives at dry period, around 6 months after the bloom and lasts from 10 to 14 days, between May and July, and then from October to March.

How often are cocoa pods harvested?

Harvesting and bean extraction

Cocoa harvest is spread over several months, and in some regions there may be pods available for harvest throughout the year. Typically, there are one or two peak harvest periods influenced by flowering in response to rainfall and humidity.

How do you harvest cocoa pods?

Harvesting involves removing ripe pods from the trees and opening them to extract the wet beans. The pods are harvested manually by making a clean cut through the stalk with a well sharpened blade. For pods high on the tree, a pruning hook type of tool can be used, with a handle on the end of a long pole.