Cocoa beans market in Bolivia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, Bolivia's cocoa bean production remained stable, fluctuating between 5 792 t and 5 971 t. This stability was underpinned by sustained government promotion through the national Salón del Cacao & Chocolate and participation in international competitions like the Salon du Chocolat in Paris, which helped elevate the global profile of Bolivian cocoa and secure support for producers. Continuous technical training and capacity building for farmer associations further contributed to maintaining output levels.

A notable shift occurred in exports, which surged to a record 362 t in 2023 following active government-led international promotion and improved post-harvest processing techniques such as fermentation and drying. This export growth, supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, directly reduced domestic market volume to 5 609 t in that year, even as production increased. Earlier, the 2019 departmental law in Beni to protect native Amazonian cocoa provided a regulatory foundation that helped sustain the production base.

The market consistently benefited from quality enhancements that earned Bolivian cocoa international recognition among the world's best. Efforts to strengthen sustainable agroforestry systems and protect wild cocoa genetics, emphasized throughout the period, supported the sector's resilience. These combined factors—targeted promotion, quality upgrades, and protective legislation—shaped a market where production steadied while export opportunities expanded significantly.

Production cocoa beans in Bolivia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Bolivia ranked as the 27th largest producer of cocoa beans globally.

Top producers of cocoa beans, 2017-2020

World map of production of cocoa beans, 2017-2020

In 2020, Bolivia produced 5 875 tonnes of cocoa beans, marking a slight increase of 0.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 6.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 0.2%, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2018, at 5.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

After two consecutive years of growth, Bolivia's cocoa bean production volume experienced a decline. In 2020, the output was valued at 30 532 thousand US dollars, remaining largely stable compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production increased by 10%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 30 649 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 6.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Bolivia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports cocoa beans from Bolivia

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Bolivia exported 196.0 tonnes of cocoa beans, representing a 16.5% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 4.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.6%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 168.2 tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 231.9 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 27.5%, and the most significant increase was in 2018, at 24.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Switzerland, and the United States were the primary destinations for Bolivia's cocoa bean exports in kind. Germany accounted for 40.8% of exports, Switzerland for 37.2%, and the United States for 7.4%, collectively representing 85.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Bolivia exported cocoa beans worth 1 019 thousand US dollars, showing a 15.3% uptick compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 8.3%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 2.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 884 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 1 139 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 22.5%, and the most significant increase was in 2018, at 21.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Switzerland and Germany together absorbed 81.1% of the total value of cocoa bean exports from Bolivia, with the remaining volume distributed among smaller markets.

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

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

Imports cocoa beans to Bolivia

Imports in kind, t

In 2018, Bolivia imported 50.1 tonnes of cocoa beans, reflecting a sharp gain of 93.7% year-over-year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ecuador was by far the main source for Bolivia's cocoa bean imports in kind, accounting for 98.8% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2018, Bolivia's cocoa bean imports amounted to 132 thousand US dollars, which is 134.0% higher than the previous year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, imports of cocoa beans to Bolivia in value terms were highly concentrated on Ecuador, which accounted for 99.0% of total flows.

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

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