Cocoa butter market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the Italian cocoa butter market grew from 184.5 million US dollars to 239.9 million US dollars. This rise was driven by a persistent global supply deficit, which reached 80 000 tons in 2019-2020, and increasing demand from the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. Italian consumer preferences also shifted toward dark chocolate with high cocoa content, further supporting market expansion.

After 2021, import values of cocoa butter into Italy continued to increase sharply, reaching 617.0 million US dollars in 2024. This surge was primarily caused by historically high prices, which rose 49% over three years due to climate damage to cocoa crops in West Africa, reduced milk production in Italy, and strong ongoing demand from key consuming sectors.

Production cocoa butter in Italy

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Italy's cocoa butter production value showed significant volatility in recent years. In 2019, output reached its peak at 9 710 thousand US dollars. However, by 2020, this had fallen sharply to 8 414 thousand US dollars, representing a substantial decline of 13.3% from the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2018 to 2020, production decreased by 11.6%, which translates to an average annual decline of 4.0%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, when production rose by 2.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Italy in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Italy maintained the 21st position globally in terms of cocoa butter production volume.

Top producers of cocoa butter, 2017-2020

World map of production of cocoa butter, 2017-2020

The cocoa butter market in Italy displayed considerable instability during this period. Production peaked in 2017 at 49 345 tonnes, then plummeted to just 1 210 tonnes in 2020, representing a dramatic 41-fold difference between the high and low points. The 2020 figure marked a sharp decline of 19.9% compared to 2019. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, when production fell by 97.2%, while the largest recovery came in 2019 with an 8.9% increase.

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

Exports cocoa butter from Italy

Exports in kind, t

Italy's cocoa butter exports have grown for three consecutive years. In 2020, the country shipped 3 644 tonnes abroad, showing a substantial increase of 35.7% compared to 2019. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 417.9%, averaging an impressive annual growth rate of 73.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Poland, Belgium, and France consistently formed the core export markets for Italy's cocoa butter shipments in volume terms. Poland accounted for 61.4% of exports, Belgium for 9.3%, and France for 8.0%. Together, these three countries represented 78.7% of Italy's total cocoa butter exports by volume during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Italy's cocoa butter export revenues have risen for the third year running. In 2020, exports were valued at 27.3 million US dollars, marking a significant increase of 36.3% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, export values grew by 451%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 76.6%.

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

In value terms, Poland, Belgium, and France dominated Italy's cocoa butter export structure from 2017 to 2020. Poland represented 57.0% of export value, Belgium accounted for 13.8%, and France contributed 8.1%. Collectively, these three markets made up 78.9% of Italy's total cocoa butter export value during this timeframe.

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

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

Imports cocoa butter to Italy

Imports in kind, t

Italy's cocoa butter imports have increased for three consecutive years. In 2020, import volumes reached 36 616 tonnes, representing an 11.2% year-on-year gain. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 26.2%, averaging an annual increase of 8.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, France, and the Netherlands consistently served as Italy's primary sources for cocoa butter imports by volume. Germany supplied 32.3% of imports, France provided 26.9%, and the Netherlands contributed 22.8%. Together, these three countries accounted for 82.0% of Italy's total cocoa butter import volume during this period.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Italy's spending on cocoa butter imports has grown for the third straight year. In 2020, import values amounted to 235.8 million US dollars, showing a notable increase of 21.5% compared to 2019. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, import values rose by 38.5%, averaging an annual growth rate of 11.5%.

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

In value terms, Germany, France, and the Netherlands formed the main group of suppliers for Italy's cocoa butter imports from 2017 to 2020. Germany accounted for 31.9% of import value, France for 26.1%, and the Netherlands for 22.2%. Combined, these three countries represented 80.2% of Italy's total cocoa butter import expenditure during this timeframe.

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

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