LONDON—Cocoa exports from Ivory Coast resumed last week, marking the first shipments of the commodity since the seizure of former president Laurent Gbagbo.
The shipments of the chocolate ingredient are vital to Ivory Coast, even as sporadic fighting continues between forces loyal to Mr. Gbagbo and those siding with his rival, elected President Alassane Ouattara. Cocoa exports make up almost one-third of the African nation's gross domestic product.
CMA CGM, the largest shipping operator between Europe and Ivory Coast, said one of its vessels docked April 21 in Abidjan and has departed for a Mediterranean country. The company wouldn't say how much cocoa the ship was carrying.
Another CMA ship docked Monday and will carry cocoa to the Indian subcontinent.
"With the situation getting progressively back to normal in Ivory Coast and the lifting of the restrictions imposed by the European Union, CMA CGM Group and its subsidiary DELMAS resume the calls of their usual services serving the Ivory Coast," the company said.
Belgian shipping company Safmarine said its first chartered vessel also loaded at Abidjan port on April 21 and is scheduled to arrive in Amsterdam on May 9.
Didier Willemse, head of commodity sales at Safmarine, said the 27,000-metric-ton Maersk vessel Norfolk is carrying cocoa along with other dry bulk cargo.
"Operational issues out there are still a bit touch and go, but we hope the situation will stabilize soon. Still, the Abidjan port is operating, albeit at a slower pace," Mr. Willemse said.
Jeff Wheeler, president of the International Commodities Terminal in Camden, N.J., said a 6,000-metric-ton shipment of cocoa beans is due May 26. The port handles about 40% of U.S. cocoa arrivals.
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