US cocoa futures finished a shade softer Tuesday, pressured by fund selling in response to news that Ivory Coast set new taxes and levies, paving the way for new exports from the No 1 cocoa producer, traders said.

The New York Board of Trade's active December cocoa contract dipped $5 to settle at $1,403 a tonne, near the top end of a trading range from $1,388 to $1,408.

March cocoa declined $4 to end at $1,441 and back months retreated $4 to $6 on the day.

Copyright Reuters, 2005