Market research

Chocolate and cocoa products market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Sub-Saharan Africa" region includes following countries:

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 market for chocolate and cocoa products in Sub-Saharan Africa expanded consistently from 2018 to 2023, with volume growing from 77 000 tons to 143 100 tons and value more than doubling from $227.4 million to $603.9 million. The most pronounced growth occurred between 2022 and 2023, when market volume jumped by 30% and value by 50%.

The surge in 2023 was driven by a 20% increase in chocolate imports into South Africa, a key regional market, which boosted overall supply. Simultaneously, global cocoa prices began to climb due to climate-related crop failures and disease in West Africa, increasing production costs and market value. By 2024, cocoa prices reached record highs above $10,000 per ton, putting further cost pressure on manufacturers and leading to retail price hikes of up to 40% in South Africa.

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 Sub-Saharan Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan 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, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, 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 Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Cabo Verde 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 Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cabo Verde 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, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, 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 Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Cabo Verde 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 Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cabo Verde 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, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, 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 Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Cabo Verde 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 Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cabo Verde 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, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, 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 Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Cabo Verde 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 Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, $ 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, 2018-2024
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 Sub-Saharan 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

Chocolate and cocoa products production in Sub-Saharan Africa has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 70 184 tonnes of these products, marking a moderate rise of 7.3% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 29.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	15.2%	4.7%	7.3%	9.0%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Chocolate and cocoa products production in Sub-Saharan Africa has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 328.0 million US dollars, reflecting a significant advance of 25.7% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production rose by 38.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 11.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	5.1%	4.9%	25.7%	11.5%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports chocolate and cocoa products from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, t

Exported volumes of chocolate and cocoa products from Sub-Saharan Africa declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totalled 63 392 tonnes, indicating a robust fall of 12.2% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 2.4%, with an annualized rate of 0.8%. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 81 072 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 31.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	31.0%	(10.9%)	(12.2%)	0.8%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout the period from 2017 to 2020, France, Poland, and the United States formed the core group of markets for exports in kind. France accounted for 39.1% of exports, Poland for 8.3%, and the United States for 5.0%, together representing 52.3% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

Sub-Saharan Africa exported 296.3 million US dollars worth of chocolate and cocoa products in 2020, indicating a slight uptick of 2.8% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 9.8%, with an annualized rate of 3.2%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 322.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 19.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 10.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	19.6%	(10.7%)	2.8%	3.2%

Source: SHEV.io

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, France, Poland, and the United States were the largest but not dominant buyers of chocolate and cocoa products from Sub-Saharan Africa in value terms. France accounted for 36.3% of exports, Poland for 7.3%, and the United States for 5.0%, together making up 48.6% of total exports, against a broad background of smaller partners.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports chocolate and cocoa products to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, t

Chocolate and cocoa products deliveries to Sub-Saharan Africa declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totalled 86 018 tonnes, down by 8.7% compared to 2019. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 95 580 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 11.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	11.9%	(1.5%)	(8.7%)	0.2%

Source: SHEV.io

In the period from 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for imports in kind was balanced rather than concentrated. Turkey accounted for 14.0% of imports, China for 11.5%, and Italy for 4.6%, jointly representing 30.1% of total flows, with many other countries accounting for the remaining 69.9%.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

Sub-Saharan Africa's volume of chocolate and cocoa products imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported 275.1 million US dollars worth of these products, marking a slight decrease of 2.3% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 301.5 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 10.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 6.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	10.3%	(6.6%)	(2.3%)	0.2%

Source: SHEV.io

The country composition of imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was dispersed. Italy accounted for 11.0% of imports, France for 6.8%, and Belgium for 6.5%, together forming just 24.3% of total flows, with the remaining 75.7% split among a wide range of other destinations.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io