(Dow Jones) -- Heavy rainfall Thursday in the Oyo, Ogun and Ondo states in Nigeria's southwest cocoa-growing region eased a dry spell and would help the development of the 20171-18 midcrop cocoa, officials and traders said.
"It is the biggest rain in Oyo state since rainfall started in the region in March," said Bola Kolade, a trader in Oyo's capital of Ibadan.
He said the downpour lasted for about one hour and would provide "substantial moisture for cocoa." Mr. Kolade added that the crop had been under stress for nearly two weeks from a lack of rain.