Cocoa butter market in Eastern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for cocoa butter in Eastern Africa experienced remarkable growth from 2018 to 2023, increasing from 61.1 thousand tons to 663.4 thousand tons. This expansion represented a more than tenfold rise over the six-year period, with the most rapid acceleration occurring between 2021 and 2023 when the market size nearly quadrupled from 306.9 thousand tons to 663.4 thousand tons.

In 2024, trade dynamics shifted as imports fell to 275.5 thousand tons while exports rose to 153.9 thousand tons. This change coincided with global supply chain disruptions and price volatility stemming from geopolitical instability and climate impacts in key cocoa-growing regions of West Africa. Concurrently, domestic consumption in Eastern Africa continued to grow, supported by urbanization and higher disposable incomes in countries like Nigeria and Kenya, which boosted demand for cocoa butter in confectionery and personal care products. The expansion of the cosmetics and personal care industry, which utilizes cocoa butter as a natural ingredient, along with sustainability initiatives from major market players, further shaped the regional market landscape.

Production cocoa butter in Eastern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, kg

Top producers of cocoa butter, 2017-2020

World map of production of cocoa butter, 2017-2020

Eastern Africa's cocoa butter production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 11 760 kg of cocoa butter, marking a sharp 68.7% rise from the previous year. Production grew by 58.5% between 2017 and 2020, which translates to an annualized rate of 16.6%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 5 410 kg, with the largest decline of 27.1% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Exports cocoa butter from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited significant volatility during this period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 at 3.0 t, then peaked in 2018 at 7.8 t, creating a 2.6-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, Eastern Africa exported 3.4 t of cocoa butter, representing a 14.5% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 61.9% drop, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 with a 123.4% surge.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom (17.9% of exports in kind), France (6.2%), and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (3.8%) formed the largest group of buyers for Eastern Africa's cocoa butter. However, their combined contribution was limited to 27.9% of total exports in kind, indicating a diversified country structure.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Export values fluctuated significantly, with a 3.1-fold difference between the high of 2018 at 79.6 K $ US and the low of 2019 at 25.4 K $ US. In 2020, Eastern Africa exported 50.0 K $ US worth of cocoa butter, showing a sharp 97.3% increase from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 68.1% drop, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 with a 100.6% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Kingdom (25.1% of exports in value terms), South Africa (13.7%), and France (12.5%) stood out as the main markets for Eastern Africa's cocoa butter exports. Together, these three countries accounted for 51.3% of total export value.

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

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

Imports cocoa butter to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, t

Eastern Africa's cocoa butter imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported a total of {value_last_year} t of cocoa butter, marking a 50.2% gain compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 169.4%, which equates to an annualized rate of 39.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa (21.5% of imports in kind), India (18.3%), and Ecuador (13.6%) consistently held leading positions in Eastern Africa's cocoa butter import structure. Together, these three countries accounted for 53.4% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Eastern Africa's cocoa butter import value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 629.4 K $ US, representing a 22.0% year-over-year increase. Between 2017 and 2020, import values grew by 46.3%, translating to an annualized rate of 13.5%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, India (23.5% of imports in value terms), Ecuador (19.1%), and South Africa (17.3%) accounted for the largest share of Eastern Africa's cocoa butter imports by value. Together, these three countries comprised 59.8% of total import value.

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

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