US cocoa futures settled flat Friday, in exceptionally thin dealings and sideways trade after the Christmas holiday Thursday, traders said. Agricultural futures trading on the ICE electronic platform will close early at 2:15 pm (1915 GMT), instead of the usual 2:45 pm. Benchmark March finished flat at the session high $2,626 per tonne. Session low at $2,595.
At 12:03 pm EST (1703 GMT), March futures down $5 at $2,621 per tonne, with volume at a light 438 lots. The market was closed Thursday for Christmas. Market consolidated in sideways dealings with many participants away from their desks following Christmas Thursday - traders.
Mostly dry conditions in West Africa, with the warmest temperatures in the north and a slight chance of afternoon showers Saturday. No significant rainfall expected through Sunday - DTN Meteorlogix. Total volume Wednesday reached a thin 1,856 lots - exchange data. Open interest in the cocoa market at 115,570 lots by December 24, compared to the previous 115,385 lots - exchange data.