SOFTS-New York cocoa hits five-week peak, coffee also up

LONDON, Dec 11 (Reuters) - New York cocoa futures climbed to a five-week peak on Thursday, buoyed primarily by speculative buying partly linked to its inclusion in the Bloomberg Commodity Index (BCOM) for 2026.

COCOA

New York cocoa CCc2 was up 1.7% to $6,336 a metric ton at 1450 GMT after hitting a five-week high of $6,475.

Cocoa was removed from the BCOM in 2005 and its return is set to lead to a large volume of buying.

"ICE (New York) cocoa is set to encounter the most significant index rebalance buying by far at more than 27,000 contracts, or 22% of aggregate open interest, as of writing," J.P. Morgan said in a preview of the BCOM rebalance.

The potential for a slowdown in port arrivals in Ivory Coast during the first quarter of 2026 could also support prices, although the upside continued to be curbed by weak demand.

London cocoa LCCc2 was up 0.45% to 4,512 pounds per ton after setting a five-week high of 4,625 pounds.

COFFEE

Robusta coffee LRCc2 rose 0.8% to $4,171 a ton, edging away from a 2-1/2 month low of $4,046 set on Wednesday.

Dealers said the harvest in top robusta producer Vietnam was slowly picking up after delays caused by storms and floods.

"New beans have started to hit the market but not many," said a trader based in Vietnam's coffee belt, adding that the quality of beans was not bad.

Arabica coffee KCc2 gained 2% to $3.7970 per lb.

SUGAR

Raw sugar SBc1 ​was unchanged at 14.91 cents per lb.

Dealers said the market was underpinned by reports that Thai farmers may reduce cane plantings and switch to cassava in response to low prices.

White sugar LSUc1 gained 0.05% to $426.30 a ton.