Cocoa butter market in Indonesia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, Indonesia's cocoa butter market volume first increased from 192.7 thousand tonnes to 203.4 thousand tonnes, then fell to 182.4 thousand tonnes. This movement aligned with the country's broader shift from raw cocoa bean exports to processed products like cocoa butter. In 2019, cocoa bean quality issues and a 5.87% drop in export volume preceded the 2020 market contraction, as lower bean productivity affected processing output.

The market recovered to 196.0 thousand tonnes in 2021, supported by imports of cocoa beans to compensate for declining domestic production. By 2022, volume dropped sharply to 164.8 thousand tonnes as Indonesia strengthened its role as a global processing hub, directing more cocoa butter toward export markets. Government policies promoting value‑added exports and geographical indication certifications encouraged this orientation. In 2023, market volume rebounded to 195.1 thousand tonnes, aided by ongoing plantation renewal and quality improvement efforts.

In 2024, Indonesian processed cocoa exports surged by 120%, with cocoa butter representing 64.61% of the US$1.71 billion export value, underscoring the sustained expansion of the country's cocoa processing sector.

Production cocoa butter in Indonesia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Globally, Indonesia was the leading producer of cocoa butter from 2018 to 2021.

Top producers of cocoa butter, 2018-2021

World map of production of cocoa butter, 2018-2021

In 2021, Indonesia produced 336.7 thousand tons of cocoa butter, marking a moderate increase of 3.2% compared to 2020. Production peaked in 2019 at 346.3 thousand tons, then fell to its lowest point in 2020 at 326.1 thousand tons, representing a decline of 5.8% that year. Overall, from 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 2.5%, averaging an annualized rate of 0.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Indonesia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Cocoa butter production in Indonesia declined for the second consecutive year in 2021, with output valued at 1 583 million US dollars, down 11.4% from 2020. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 876 million US dollars, which saw a 2.2% increase. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production decreased by 13.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Indonesia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports cocoa butter from Indonesia

Exports in kind, K t

Cocoa butter exports from Indonesia declined for the third consecutive year in 2021, reaching 142.2 thousand tons, a decrease of 1.6% compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, exports fell by 8.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -2.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Indonesia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, the United States, the Netherlands, and India were the top buyers of cocoa butter from Indonesia, accounting for 32.2%, 11.2%, and 7.7% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 51.1% of total exports in kind.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Indonesia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2021, Indonesia exported 668.2 million US dollars worth of cocoa butter, showing a solid decrease of 15.5% compared to 2020. The largest increase occurred in 2020 at 0.7%. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 18.9%, with an annualized rate of 6.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Indonesia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, the United States, the Netherlands, and India were the three main markets for cocoa butter exports from Indonesia in value terms, collectively absorbing 51.7% of total exports.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Indonesia in value, 2018-2021

Imports cocoa butter to Indonesia

Imports in kind, K t

Cocoa butter imports into Indonesia showed noticeable fluctuations from 2018 to 2021. The lowest volume was recorded in 2020 at 0.7 thousand tons, a decline of 65.9% that year, while the highest was in 2018, resulting in a peak-to-trough ratio of 3.5 times. In 2021, imports rebounded to 1.5 thousand tons, a gain of 110.5% over the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Indonesia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Singapore and Malaysia dominated Indonesia's cocoa butter imports in kind, with shares of 49.8% and 44.4%, respectively. Together, they accounted for 94.3% of total imports, while other partners made up the remainder.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Indonesia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decline, Indonesia's cocoa butter imports increased in 2021, standing at 6.9 million US dollars, a steep rise of 66.1% year-over-year. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 4.2 million US dollars, which saw a decline of 64.7%. Overall, from 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 47.9%, with an annualized rate of 19.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Indonesia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Singapore and Malaysia remained the key partner countries for Indonesia's cocoa butter imports in value terms, with a combined share of 93.9% of total flows; other partners accounted for the rest.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Indonesia in value, 2018-2021