Market research

Chocolate and cocoa products market in Africa

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Africa" region includes following countries:

Algeria

Libya

Morocco

Sudan

Western Sahara

Tunisia

Egypt

Cabo Verde

Benin

Gambia

Ghana

Guinea

Côte d'Ivoire

Liberia

Mali

Mauritania

Niger

Nigeria

Guinea-Bissau

Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Togo

Burkina Faso

British Indian Ocean Territory

Burundi

Comoros

Mayotte

Ethiopia

Eritrea

French Southern Territories

Djibouti

Kenya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Reunion

Rwanda

Seychelles

Somalia

Zimbabwe

South Sudan

Uganda

Tanzania

Zambia

Angola

Cameroon

Central African Republic

Chad

Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Equatorial Guinea

Gabon

Sao Tome and Principe

Botswana

Lesotho

Namibia

South Africa

Eswatini

Earlier Report Observations

The African market for chocolate and cocoa products expanded from 114.3 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 146.7 thousand tonnes in 2019. This growth was supported by efforts to revive cocoa processing operations in West Africa, including Nigeria, aimed at increasing local consumption and value addition. Simultaneously, a growing middle class and urbanization in Nigeria boosted demand for premium and imported chocolates, which stimulated local manufacturing. In 2019, increased consumer awareness of the health benefits of cocoa products further drove demand for cocoa powder, butter, and chocolates, supporting the growth of processing activity.

Market growth continued through 2020 and 2021, with the market volume reaching 154 thousand tonnes and then 165.5 thousand tonnes. Domestic production also increased steadily during this period, rising from 98.3 thousand tonnes to 102.1 thousand tonnes, indicating resilient output.

A significant production surge to 149.8 thousand tonnes occurred in 2022, coinciding with initiatives by local Nigerian chocolate makers to process cocoa beans into finished chocolate to reduce import dependence. This contributed to a market volume of 183.1 thousand tonnes. By 2023, the market grew further to 210.9 thousand tonnes and production to 190.8 thousand tonnes. This expansion continued despite the onset of a cocoa price surge caused by supply shortages from climate disruptions and underinvestment in West African farms, which increased input costs for processors alongside naira depreciation.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
  2. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Africa in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, K t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production chocolate and cocoa products in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of chocolate and cocoa products, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of chocolate and cocoa products, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Africa's production of chocolate and cocoa products has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the continent produced 98 317 tonnes, marking a 13.0% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 40%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 11.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	11.7%	11.0%	13.0%	11.9%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of chocolate and cocoa products produced in Africa has also increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 502.2 million US dollars, up 18.8% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 44.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 13.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	0.5%	20.8%	18.8%	13.0%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports chocolate and cocoa products from Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Africa's exports of chocolate and cocoa products in volume terms fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 91.3 thousand tonnes, a significant drop of 10.5% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 15.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.0%. The peak was in 2018 at 105.1 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 33.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	33.2%	(3.0%)	(10.5%)	5.0%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Africa's exports of chocolate and cocoa products in volume terms were not highly concentrated. France accounted for 29.3% of exports, Poland for 6.2%, and Saudi Arabia for 5.2%, together making up just 40.8% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, Africa's exports of chocolate and cocoa products in value terms declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 466.5 million US dollars, a moderate decrease of 5.8% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 19.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 495.5 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 19.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	19.8%	5.6%	(5.8%)	6.0%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Africa's chocolate and cocoa products were exported to a wide range of markets. France represented 23.6% of exports in value terms, Saudi Arabia 8.5%, and Poland 4.7%, together accounting for only 36.7% of total exports. The remaining 63.3% was spread across many smaller destinations.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Africa in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports chocolate and cocoa products to Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, Africa's imports of chocolate and cocoa products in volume terms declined. In 2020, imports stood at 147.0 thousand tonnes, a modest drop of 9.1% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 17%, equivalent to an average annual rate of 5.4%. The peak was in 2019 at 161.7 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 14.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	12.2%	14.6%	(9.1%)	5.4%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, the geographical structure of Africa's imports in volume terms was highly diversified. Turkey accounted for 16.1% of imports, Italy for 7.8%, and China for 7.6%, together making up only 31.6% of total flows. The remaining 68.4% was distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of increase, Africa's imports of chocolate and cocoa products in value terms declined. In 2020, imports reached 561.4 million US dollars, reflecting a slight decline of 2.9% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 24.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.6%. The maximum value was in 2019 at 578.5 million US dollars, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 14.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	14.4%	12.2%	(2.9%)	7.6%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, imports of chocolate and cocoa products to Africa in value terms were widely dispersed across partner countries. Italy accounted for 13.8% of imports, Turkey for 9.1%, and France for 6.8%, together representing only 29.7% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Africa in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io