Market research

Chocolate and cocoa products market in South Africa

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for chocolate and cocoa products in South Africa experienced notable fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. After reaching 34 531 t in 2021, the highest point in the period, consumption declined to 29 729 t by 2023. In value terms, the market followed a similar pattern, peaking at 123.5 million $ in 2021 before contracting to 103.5 million $ in 2023.

External factors began to significantly impact the market environment from 2024 onward. A severe rise in cocoa prices, driven by climate-related crop failures in West Africa, increased production costs for South African chocolate makers, leading to higher retail prices. In 2025, consumer trends shifted towards ethically sourced, vegan, and cocoa-free alternatives, while manufacturers focused on novelty segments to adapt to the changing landscape.

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, 2018-2025
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2025
    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, 2018-2025
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2025
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in South Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, 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, 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, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  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 South Africa, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  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 South Africa, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  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 South Africa, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2025, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  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 South Africa, 2018-2025, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2025
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 South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, t

South Africa was among the world's leading producers of chocolate and cocoa products from 2018 to 2021, ranking 27th globally by production volume.

Top producers of chocolate and cocoa products, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of chocolate and cocoa products, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

South Africa's production of chocolate and cocoa products grew for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 16 562 tonnes, marking a solid 11.8% increase from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production rose by 25.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	2.6%	9.7%	11.8%	8.0%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In 2021, the output of chocolate and cocoa products in South Africa was valued at 88 154 thousand US dollars, showing a robust year-on-year increase of 17.8%. Between 2018 and 2021, production value grew by 36.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2020, at 0.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	16.1%	(0.4%)	17.8%	10.8%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports chocolate and cocoa products from South Africa

Exports in kind, t

South Africa's exports of chocolate and cocoa products increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports totaled 15 163 tonnes, which is 9.0% higher than the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 3.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.2%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 12 662 tonnes, with the largest decline of 13.3% that same year. The largest increase occurred in 2020, at 9.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(13.3%)	9.9%	9.0%	1.2%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, the export structure for chocolate and cocoa products in kind was balanced rather than concentrated. Namibia (15.4% of exports in kind), Botswana (14.9%), and Mozambique (8.9%) together represented 39.1% of total flows, while many other countries accounted for the remaining 60.9%.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year reduction, South Africa's exports of chocolate and cocoa products in value terms increased. In 2021, exports reached 80.7 million US dollars, corresponding to a 14.8% uptick compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports grew by 12.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 70.3 million US dollars, with the largest decline of 1.9% in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(1.9%)	(0.3%)	14.8%	3.9%

Source: SHEV.io

The partner structure for exports in value terms from 2018 to 2021 remained fragmented. Namibia (14.8% of exports in value terms), Botswana (12.2%), and Israel (8.2%) together accounted for only 35.2% of total flows, with no single country holding a dominant share.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Imports chocolate and cocoa products to South Africa

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, South Africa's imports of chocolate and cocoa products in kind stood at 33 133 tonnes, reflecting a substantial 19.9% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports increased by 20.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.3%. The largest decline was recorded in 2020, at 9.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	10.2%	(9.1%)	19.9%	6.3%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, there was no single dominant market for chocolate and cocoa products imports in kind. Turkey (18.8% of imports in kind), Italy (12.9%), and Belgium (11.6%) together accounted for only 43.2% of total imports, while many smaller partners each held modest individual shares.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decline, South Africa's imports of chocolate and cocoa products in value terms increased. In 2021, imports totaled 104.9 million US dollars, constituting a significant 10.7% rise versus the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 104.9 million US dollars, with the largest decline of 5.5% that same year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(5.3%)	(5.5%)	10.7%	(0.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, chocolate and cocoa products were supplied to South Africa from a broad set of markets. Italy (19.4% of imports in value terms), Belgium (13.0%), and Germany (11.8%) together accounted for only 44.3% of total imports, while many smaller destinations formed the remaining 55.7%.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io