Cocoa shines amid commodity gloom, lures corporate investment

London

IN a year that's spelled disaster for commodities from oil to coffee, cocoa stands out the best performer, and companies are taking notice.

United Cacao Ltd and KKO International SA are among those investing in plantations as production shortfalls boost prices. United Cacao, a Peruvian grower, is expanding in the country by planting 3,250 hectares. KKO, which went public in Brussels last month, is working on farms spanning an initial 3,500 hectares in Ivory Coast, the world's biggest supplier.