Cocoa beans market in Côte d'Ivoire

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, cocoa bean production in Côte d'Ivoire was sustained by favorable climatic conditions and government initiatives to boost local processing, with the domestic market size reaching 718 thousand tons in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily affected export flows and producer incomes.

Production peaked at 2.36 million tons in 2022, supported by a significant expansion in local transformation capacity and the adoption of the National Strategy for Sustainable Cocoa, which increased domestic absorption and helped grow the market size to 889 thousand tons.

A severe supply contraction followed from 2023, with production falling sharply due to the spread of the CSSV virus and adverse weather conditions, reducing the market size to 485 thousand tons in 2023 and driving global cocoa prices to historic highs.

Production cocoa beans in Côte d'Ivoire

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Côte d'Ivoire was the leading producer of cocoa beans from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of cocoa beans, 2017-2020

World map of production of cocoa beans, 2017-2020

Following two years of growth, cocoa bean production in Côte d'Ivoire experienced a decline. In 2020, the country produced 2 200 K t of cocoa beans, representing a 1.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 8.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.6%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 2 235 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 5.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Cocoa bean production in Côte d'Ivoire grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 5 386 M $ US, reflecting a modest rise of 9.2% over the past year. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 13.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 4 517 M $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 4.5%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 9.2% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Côte d'Ivoire in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports cocoa beans from Côte d'Ivoire

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Côte d'Ivoire's cocoa bean exports declined in volume. In 2020, the country exported 1 482 K t of cocoa beans, which is 8.5% lower year-over-year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 620 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 6.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (23.4% of exports in kind), the United States (15.8% of exports in kind), and Belgium (11.2% of exports in kind) accounted for the largest share of exports in kind, together comprising 50.4% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Cocoa bean exports from Côte d'Ivoire increased in value for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 3 629 M $ US, marking a slight rise of 1.5% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 3.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 3 253 M $ US, which experienced the largest decline of 7.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 9.9% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (23.3% of exports in value terms), the United States (16.0% of exports in value terms), and Belgium (11.5% of exports in value terms) were the principal destinations for exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 50.8% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Côte d'Ivoire in value, 2017-2020

Imports cocoa beans to Côte d'Ivoire

Imports in kind, K t

The market showed volatility during the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2017, with a 4.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, cocoa bean imports into Côte d'Ivoire came to 0.0 K t, equivalent to a steep contraction of 56.9% year-over-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 0.0 K t, which saw the largest decline of 76.4%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 163.6% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France (45.6% of imports in kind), Nigeria (30.0% of imports in kind), and Cameroon (16.9% of imports in kind) were the principal sources for imports in kind, jointly accounting for 92.5% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Côte d'Ivoire in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2019, showing a 5.4-fold amplitude. In 2020, cross-border shipments of cocoa beans into Côte d'Ivoire reached 0.0 M $ US, corresponding to an abrupt decline of 81.5% versus the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 0.0 M $ US, which saw the largest increase of 351.7%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, France and Nigeria were the core markets for imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 85.5% of total flows, while other destinations had comparatively modest shares.

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

World map of product's imports to Côte d'Ivoire in value, 2017-2020