Cocoa butter market in Asia, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The Asian cocoa butter market volume fluctuated between 2018 and 2023, starting at 325.6 thousand tons in 2018 before dipping to 303.5 thousand tons in 2019. A recovery to 333.0 thousand tons occurred in 2020, coinciding with a rising trend in chocolate confectionery consumption that increased demand for cocoa butter as a key ingredient.

Market volume continued its upward movement to 381.5 thousand tons in 2021 but retreated to 339.7 thousand tons in 2022. A sharp expansion followed in 2023, with volume reaching 450.3 thousand tons. This surge was supported by the emergence of a craft chocolate segment, where artisanal producers focusing on single-origin and small-batch chocolates created new niche demand. Concurrently, significant supply shocks from droughts and crop disease in key West African producers led to a global supply deficit, contributing to record cocoa prices and affecting the market's value, which rose to $3.0 billion.

Into 2024, market dynamics continued to be shaped by price volatility linked to persistent climate-related supply concerns. Rising demand for cocoa butter substitutes amid high cocoa prices and noted shifts in consumer behavior reflected the market's adaptation to tighter global conditions.

Production cocoa butter in Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cocoa butter, 2017-2020

World map of production of cocoa butter, 2017-2020

Asia's cocoa butter production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 559.5 thousand tonnes, marking a slight increase of 1.1% from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 22.6%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 7.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Asia's cocoa butter production value has also increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 3 141 million US dollars, showing a year-on-year gain of 6.0%. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 14.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports cocoa butter from Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, Asia's cocoa butter export volumes declined. In 2020, exports totaled 288.6 thousand tonnes, reflecting a modest drop of 6.0% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 35.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.7%. The peak volume was recorded in 2019 at 307.1 thousand tonnes, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 24.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Asia's cocoa butter exports were distributed across a wide range of markets. The United States, the Netherlands, and Australia accounted for 27.2%, 7.9%, and 6.7% of export volumes, respectively, totaling 41.7% of all exports. The remaining 58.3% went to numerous smaller destinations.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, Asia's cocoa butter export value declined. In 2020, exports were valued at 1 620 million US dollars, down 1.4% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 26.7%, with an annualized rate of 8.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 643 million US dollars, and the largest annual increase was in 2018 at 15.1%.

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

During 2017-2020, Asia's cocoa butter export value was spread across many partners rather than concentrated in a few. The United States, the Netherlands, and Australia represented 27.6%, 8.1%, and 6.6% of export value, respectively, totaling 42.3% of all flows. The remaining 57.7% came from various other countries.

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

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

Imports cocoa butter to Asia

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, Asia's cocoa butter import volumes increased. In 2020, imports reached 62.1 thousand tonnes, up 9.1% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 15.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.5%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 56.9 thousand tonnes, and the largest annual decline was in 2018 at 15.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Asia's cocoa butter imports in volume terms came from a diverse set of markets. The Netherlands, France, and Ghana accounted for 11.3%, 1.6%, and 1.1% of imports, respectively, totaling just 14.1% of all flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Asia's cocoa butter import value was 476 million US dollars, down 5.8% year-on-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 4.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 443 million US dollars, while the peak was in 2019 at 505 million US dollars. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 14.1%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Asia's cocoa butter import value was not heavily concentrated on a few key markets. The Netherlands, France, and Ghana represented 12.1%, 2.1%, and 1.1% of import value, respectively, totaling only 15.4% of all flows.

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

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