Cocoa trading has resumed in Ivory Coast after the country's regulator agreed to sell beans at global market prices, ending a pricing dispute that left hundreds of thousands of tons unsold. The Ivory Coast Coffee and Cocoa Council had previously imposed a premium over international prices, creating a standoff with buyers who refused to pay the markup.

This pricing policy shift marks a significant reversal for Africa's top cocoa producer, which had been struggling with massive stockpiles as exporters balked at the inflated prices. The standoff had disrupted the traditional flow of cocoa from farms to global markets, with traders unwilling to purchase beans at rates above London and New York futures. The premium had been intended to boost farmer incomes but instead created market distortions.

The resumption of normal trading channels should help clear the backlog of cocoa beans sitting in warehouses across the country. With global cocoa prices having risen substantially in recent months due to supply concerns, the move to align domestic pricing with international markets represents a pragmatic adjustment by Ivory Coast authorities.