Ivory Coast resumes cocoa bean exports

Port officials yesterday loaded Ivory Coast's first shipment of beans in several months as the world's largest cocoa producer resumed exportation now that the democratically-elected president finally has taken office.

Cocoa exports came to a halt in mid-January when internationally recognised president Alassane Ouattara called for an export ban to starve his rival financially, causing cocoa prices to skyrocket. Longtime leader Laurent Gbagbo had refused to cede power and the battle for the presidency left hundreds dead and nearly pushed the country back to civil war. Mr Ouattara finally took the oath of office on Friday.

Most major exporters, including American firms Cargill and Archer Daniels Midland, as well as Swiss firm Barry Callebaut, complied with Mr Ouattara's cocoa ban because the European Union had put sanctions against Ivory Coast's ports, effectively preventing any exports.