Cocoa butter market in China

Earlier Report Observations

The cocoa butter market in China experienced significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. After an initial increase to 25 520 t in 2019, market volume contracted to 22 010 t in 2020. This decline aligned with a noted expansion of the Asia-Pacific region's share in the global cocoa butter alternatives market, suggesting growing competition from substitutes such as mango butter in confectionery applications. The market then rebounded sharply to 29 129 t in 2021, although the available factors for that period primarily highlighted health-driven innovation in alternative products rather than direct drivers for cocoa butter consumption.

Market volume saw a slight dip to 28 239 t in 2022, coinciding with reported continuous growth in sales and market size for cocoa butter alternatives in China, led by major players like Fuji Oil and Wilmar International. A strong recovery followed in 2023, with volume reaching 30 239 t. This growth was directly supported by a rapid transformation in China's cocoa sector, characterized by rising consumer demand for chocolate, the increasing popularity of domestic chocolate brands, and the successful first export of high-quality Hainan cocoa beans, which enhanced domestic industry capabilities.

By 2024, the fundamental context shifted dramatically as global cocoa prices soared by over 125% due to extreme weather and crop disease in African growing regions. This surge in raw material costs placed upward pressure on production expenses for chocolate and cocoa butter. Nevertheless, retail chocolate sales in China, particularly through e-commerce channels like Douyin, demonstrated strong year-on-year growth, indicating sustained consumer demand despite higher costs. Concurrently, the health-focused reformulation trend in cocoa butter alternatives continued, emphasizing attributes like low trans-fat and non-GMO claims.

Production cocoa butter in China

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, China ranked as the 18th largest producer of cocoa butter globally.

Top producers of cocoa butter, 2017-2020

World map of production of cocoa butter, 2017-2020

China's cocoa butter production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 14 749 tonnes, which represents a 26.0% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 20.7%, with an average annual decline of 7.4%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 20 541 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 10.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

China's cocoa butter production value also dropped for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 75.9 million US dollars, down 26.9% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 14.3%, with an average annual decline of 5.0%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 115.1 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual growth of 29.9%.

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

Exports cocoa butter from China

Exports in kind, t

China's cocoa butter exports continued to decline for the second straight year. In 2020, the country exported 5 701 tonnes, a sharp decrease of 39.8% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 29.5%, with an average annual decline of 11.0%. The highest export volume was in 2018 at 11 624 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 43.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Estonia, and the Netherlands were the primary destinations for China's cocoa butter exports by volume. The United States accounted for 40.8% of exports, Estonia for 25.8%, and the Netherlands for 20.0%. Together, these three countries represented 86.5% of China's total cocoa butter export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

China's cocoa butter export value also declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 29.345 million US dollars, a dramatic reduction of 40.6% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value decreased by 23.8%, with an average annual decline of 8.6%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 65.108 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 69.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Estonia, and the Netherlands were the main buyers of Chinese cocoa butter by value. The United States accounted for 40.2% of export value, Estonia for 26.1%, and the Netherlands for 20.1%. Collectively, these three markets comprised 86.4% of China's total cocoa butter export value.

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

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

Imports cocoa butter to China

Imports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, China's cocoa butter imports declined. In 2020, imports totaled 12 961 tonnes, marking a robust drop of 13.9% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 4.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.4%. The highest import volume was in 2019 at 15 061 tonnes, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 10.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore were the largest suppliers of cocoa butter to China by volume. Indonesia accounted for 43.4% of imports, Malaysia for 35.6%, and Singapore for 19.1%. Together, these three countries formed 98.2% of China's total cocoa butter imports by volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of increase, China's cocoa butter import value declined. In 2020, imports totaled 76.014 million US dollars, a decrease of 12.3% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, import value rose by 6.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.0%. The peak value was in 2019 at 86.723 million US dollars, while the largest annual increase was in 2018 at 12.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore—together accounted for 97.5% of the total value of cocoa butter imports to China.

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

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