Cocoa beans market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The cocoa beans market volume in Sub-Saharan Africa grew significantly in 2020, reaching 1.44 million tons, largely because the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global trade flows and reduced export volumes, leaving more beans available domestically. Prior to this, alliances such as the one between WACOT and Cocoasource in 2018 aimed to enhance sustainable cocoa farming with traceability, which supported production stability in key origins like Nigeria.

Following the pandemic surge, market volume contracted to 913 thousand tons by 2023, as export volumes recovered and structural challenges persisted. Nigerian cocoa processing plants were operating at only 8% capacity as of 2019, reflecting deep-seated inefficiencies that limited local value addition. Concurrently, shifting consumer preferences towards premium, artisan, and dark chocolate influenced demand patterns within the region, though they did not offset the overall volume decline.

Production cocoa beans in Sub-Saharan Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cocoa beans, 2017-2020

World map of production of cocoa beans, 2017-2020

In Sub-Saharan Africa, cocoa bean production reached 3 886 thousand tonnes in 2020, marking a modest 3.7% increase from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 3.7%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 1.2%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 1.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of cocoa bean production in Sub-Saharan Africa was 9 648 million US dollars in 2020, showing a solid 11.0% rise compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 12.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.0%. The largest drop was recorded in 2019, at 1.3%.

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

Exports cocoa beans from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Cocoa bean exports from Sub-Saharan Africa declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region exported 2 455 thousand tonnes, which represents an 11.8% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.7%. The peak volume was recorded in 2018 at 2 837 thousand tonnes, with the largest increase that year of 9.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, cocoa bean exports from Sub-Saharan Africa were widely distributed among partner countries. The Netherlands accounted for 27.5% of exports in kind, the United States for 11.6%, and Malaysia for 10.2%, together making up 49.3% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Export value of cocoa beans from Sub-Saharan Africa decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 6 094 million US dollars, a 5.6% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 2.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 6 601 million US dollars, with the largest increase that year of 11.5%.

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

During 2017-2020, the export market in value terms was diverse. The Netherlands contributed 25.5% of exports in value, Malaysia 12.9%, and the United States 11.5%, together accounting for 49.9% of total flows. The remaining 50.1% was distributed among many other countries.

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

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

Imports cocoa beans to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Import volumes hit a low in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 25-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa imported 8 thousand tonnes of cocoa beans, indicating a year-on-year gain of 875.9%. The minimum volume was recorded in 2018 at 0.3 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline that year of 21.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the core group of markets for cocoa bean imports in kind included China, Panama, and Belgium, each accounting for 0.7% of imports. Together, they represented 2.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Foreign cocoa bean supplies to Sub-Saharan Africa increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region imported approximately 26 million US dollars worth of cocoa beans, representing a 1,259.0% gain compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports surged by 1,946.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 173.5%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the key directions for cocoa bean imports in value terms were Panama with 1.3%, Italy with 0.9%, and Peru with 0.6%, together taking 2.8% of total flows.

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

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