Cocoa butter market in Northern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The cocoa butter market in Northern Africa saw significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2023, starting at 11,151 tons and reaching 15,268 tons. Early growth was partly supported by the expanding use of cocoa butter in cosmetic products like moisturizers and antibacterial ointments, which added new sources of demand. However, the market contracted sharply in 2020, falling 30% to 8,372 tons, as a 15-20% price increase for cocoa butter and climate-driven supply disruptions in West Africa constrained availability.

Volume recovered to 10,063 tons in 2021 and continued to rise strongly, reaching 13,296 tons in 2022 and 15,268 tons in 2023. This expansion occurred alongside adverse weather in West Africa—including heavy rains and drought—that damaged cocoa crops and reduced global supply, contributing to higher prices. In response, the industry channeled major investments into research and development for cocoa butter substitutes to address cost and supply concerns.

By 2024, record cocoa butter prices were driven by droughts, floods, and plant diseases in West Africa, further tightening supply. European deforestation rules and stricter cocoa-content labeling raised compliance costs for processors, while market trends shifted toward premium, sustainable, and traceable products. Strategic moves included Nestlé's partnership with Cargill on carbon-neutral farming and Guan Chong Berhad's acquisition of a stake in a Ivorian processor to strengthen local cocoa grinding.

Production cocoa butter in Northern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cocoa butter, 2017-2020

World map of production of cocoa butter, 2017-2020

Following two consecutive years of growth, cocoa butter production in Northern Africa experienced a decline. In 2019, production reached its peak at 7 809 tonnes, but by 2020 it had fallen to 4 455 tonnes, representing a significant 43.0% decrease from the previous year. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 21.2%, with an average annual decline of 7.6%. The most substantial year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, when production grew by 18.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

After two years of rising values, cocoa butter production in Northern Africa saw a downturn. In 2019, production value peaked at 41 477 thousand US dollars, but in 2020 it dropped sharply to 24 979 thousand US dollars, marking a 39.8% decrease compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, the overall production value decreased by 8.6%, with an average annual decline of 3.0%. The largest year-on-year increase was recorded in 2018, when production value grew by 26.4%.

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

Exports cocoa butter from Northern Africa

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, cocoa butter export volumes from Northern Africa declined. In 2019, exports reached their highest point at 2 261 tonnes, but by 2020 they had fallen to 1 101 tonnes, representing a substantial 51.3% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, overall exports decreased by 37.5%, equating to an average annual decline of 14.5%. The most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, when export volumes grew by 26.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany accounted for 55.8% of Northern Africa's cocoa butter exports by volume, followed by the United Kingdom at 14.2% and the Netherlands at 14.2%. Together, these three countries represented 84.3% of total export flows during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of increasing values, cocoa butter exports from Northern Africa declined. In 2019, export value reached its peak at 12 009 thousand US dollars, but by 2020 it had dropped to 6 173 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp 48.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, overall export value decreased by 27.5%, with an average annual decline of 10.2%. The largest year-on-year increase was recorded in 2019, when export value grew by 28.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany was the primary destination for Northern Africa's cocoa butter exports by value, accounting for 56.0% of total exports. The United Kingdom followed with 14.6%, and the Netherlands with 13.6%. Together, these three markets represented 84.2% of total export value during this period.

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

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

Imports cocoa butter to Northern Africa

Imports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, cocoa butter import volumes into Northern Africa declined. In 2019, imports peaked at 6 439 tonnes, but by 2020 they had fallen to 5 018 tonnes, representing a substantial 22.1% decrease from the previous year. However, over the broader period from 2017 to 2020, overall imports actually increased by 22.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.0%. The most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when import volumes grew by 54.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Malaysia was the largest supplier of cocoa butter to Northern Africa by volume, accounting for 37.0% of total imports. Singapore followed with 17.2%, and Indonesia with 16.5%. Together, these three countries supplied 70.7% of Northern Africa's cocoa butter imports during this period.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of increasing values, cocoa butter imports into Northern Africa declined. In 2019, import value reached its highest point at 35 996 thousand US dollars, but by 2020 it had dropped to 28 739 thousand US dollars, marking a robust 20.2% decrease compared to the previous year. However, between 2017 and 2020, overall import value actually increased by 20.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.5%. The largest year-on-year increase was recorded in 2018, when import value grew by 37.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Malaysia was the primary source of cocoa butter imports by value for Northern Africa, accounting for 35.5% of total imports. Singapore followed with 18.0%, and Indonesia with 17.2%. Together, these three markets represented 70.6% of total import value during this period.

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

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