Cocoa Prices Skyrocket As Ivory Coast Election Dispute Spawns Export Ban

Political turbulence in the Ivory Coast yesterday (Monday) shot cocoa prices higher, as Alassane Ouattara, the internationally recognized leader of the country, called for a one-month ban on exports. The export ban by the world's largest producer of cocoa beans comes as the new leader hopes to choke off funding for the incumbent, Laurent Gbagbo, who has refused to concede defeat.