Cocoa butter market in Central America

Earlier Report Observations

The cocoa butter market in Central America began the period with steady growth, reaching 40.3 тыс. т in 2019. This expansion was supported by the 2018 launch of new product variants such as Lavender and Lemon by the beauty brand American Dream, which introduced innovation in the cosmetic segment and stimulated demand.

Market volume contracted sharply to 16.3 тыс. т in 2020, then rebounded over the next two years, climbing to 29.3 тыс. т by 2022. The recovery was facilitated by global factors including rising demand and cocoa production in Latin America, while strengthened international trade flows—with Mexico featuring prominently in export-import statistics—enhanced regional market activity.

By 2023, the market adjusted slightly to 27.4 тыс. т, reflecting a modest correction after the post-2020 recovery phase.

Production cocoa butter in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cocoa butter, 2017-2020

World map of production of cocoa butter, 2017-2020

In 2019, Central America produced 40 075 tonnes of cocoa butter, marking the highest output during the period. However, production fell sharply in 2020 to 16 020 tonnes, representing a 60.0% decline compared to the previous year. Over the broader timeframe from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 57.9%, which translates to an average annual reduction of 25.1%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, at 7.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Central America in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2019, the value of cocoa butter production in Central America reached its peak at 226.5 million US dollars. By 2020, this had dropped to 91.9 million US dollars, a decrease of 59.4% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, the overall decline in production value was 59.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -25.8%. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2019, at 4.2%.

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

Exports cocoa butter from Central America

Exports in kind, t

In 2018, Central America's cocoa butter exports hit their lowest point at 687 tonnes. They then rebounded to a peak of 1 011 tonnes in 2019, before declining to 842 tonnes in 2020, which was a 16.8% drop year-over-year. The largest decrease occurred in 2018, at 17.2%, while the most significant increase was in 2019, at 47.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States was the primary destination for cocoa butter exports from Central America, accounting for 87.8% of total exports by volume. The remaining share was distributed among a diverse group of other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2018, the value of cocoa butter exports from Central America was at its minimum, totaling 3.989 million US dollars. It then rose to a maximum of 5.715 million US dollars in 2019, before falling to 4.828 million US dollars in 2020, a reduction of 15.5% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was in 2018, at 18.8%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 43.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States dominated the export market in value terms, absorbing 89.5% of total cocoa butter exports from Central America. The rest was spread across various smaller markets.

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

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

Imports cocoa butter to Central America

Imports in kind, t

In 2018, cocoa butter imports into Central America reached their lowest level at 781 tonnes, following a peak in 2017. By 2020, imports stood at 1 073 tonnes, down 12.3% from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 80.0%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 56.7%. The market showed significant fluctuations, with a fivefold difference between the high in 2017 and the low in 2018.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, three key markets—Indonesia, Colombia, and Ecuador—collectively accounted for 85.5% of cocoa butter imports by volume into Central America.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2018, the value of cocoa butter imports into Central America was at its minimum, totaling 4.443 million US dollars, after peaking in 2017. By 2020, imports had reached 6.209 million US dollars, a decrease of 10.5% from the year before. The largest decline was in 2018, at 80.1%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 56.1%. The data indicates a volatile market, with a fivefold gap between the high in 2017 and the low in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Indonesia, Colombia, and Ecuador were the leading sources of cocoa butter imports into Central America in value terms. Indonesia accounted for 43.9% of imports, Colombia for 34.8%, and Ecuador for 6.5%, together making up 85.3% of total import value.

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

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