Cocoa prices steady amid violence in Ivory Coast

NEW YORK: Cocoa prices were stable after Ivory Coast, the world’s biggest producer of the commodity, suffered an attack by al-Qaeda-linked extremists on Sunday.

Contracts for May delivery increased 0.5% to 2,237 pounds ($3,215) a metric tonne on ICE Futures Europe. Cocoa traded in New York for the same delivery month added 0.1%.

Militants said they led the attack at a hotel in the town of Grand Bassam, Mauritanian newspaper al-Akhbar reported, citing a statement by al-Qaeda in the Maghreb and al-Mourabitoune. At least 14 civilians and two soldiers were killed, Ivory Coast president Alassane Ouattara said in comments on state television.

Six militants died, he said. The West African nation has been on high alert since a November attack in Mali where 20 people died.