Pod losses caused byCrinipellis perniciosa(Stahel) Singer passed 50% in cocoa plantings in their sixth year in Rondonia, Brazil where no control was applied. It is recommended that pruning should be initiated in the fourth year after planting. Recovery of fermentable seeds from diseased fruits was minimal, and pod losses could be used to estimate yield loss. Monthly losses had to be calculated by comparing actual harvests with predictions based on previous fruit set. Manipulation of harvest time by manual pollination may create difficulties with pod weight/ size and unpredictability of fruit wilt.