Cocoa butter market in Polynesia

Earlier Report Observations

The cocoa butter market in Polynesia showed volatility between 2018 and 2021. Market volume started at 160.3 t in 2018, supported by the launch of several local patisserie and food service businesses, which increased demand for cocoa butter. Volume then dipped to 151.1 t in 2019, rebounded to 163.8 t in 2020, but fell sharply to 124.5 t in 2021.

From 2022, the market entered a recovery phase. Volume rose to 158.7 t in 2022, driven by institutional efforts to develop the local cocoa sector, highlighted by an expert mission commissioned by the agriculture department to assess the value chain. Growth continued in 2023, reaching 170.7 t, facilitated by the introduction from September 1, 2023, of a digital publication system for industrial property rights extending to Polynesia and regulatory updates affecting essential and consumer goods, including cocoa butter products.

Production cocoa butter in Polynesia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cocoa butter, 2017-2020

World map of production of cocoa butter, 2017-2020

In 2019, cocoa butter production in Polynesia reached its lowest point at 148.9 tonnes, declining by 6.4% from the previous year. However, production rebounded in 2020 to 162.0 tonnes, marking an 8.8% increase compared to 2019. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, production grew by 7.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.6%.

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

Exports cocoa butter from Polynesia

Exports in kind, kg

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. In 2018, cocoa butter exports from Polynesia hit their lowest point at 60 kg, representing an 81.1% decline from the previous year. The situation reversed dramatically in 2019, when exports surged to 509 kg – a 755.4% increase compared to 2018 and the highest level recorded during the timeframe. The difference between the peak in 2019 and the low in 2018 was 8.6 times.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Polynesia in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, New Zealand, the United States, and China consistently served as the main destinations for Polynesia's cocoa butter exports in physical terms. New Zealand accounted for 57.5% of exports, followed by the United States at 17.4%, and China at 0.8%. Together, these three markets represented 75.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. In 2018, cocoa butter exports from Polynesia in value terms reached their minimum at 170 US dollars, showing a 96.5% decline from the previous year. Exports then recovered significantly in 2019, reaching 1 851 US dollars – a 987.8% increase compared to 2018. The difference between the high in 2017 and the low in 2018 was 29 times.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, the United States and New Zealand remained the principal destinations for Polynesia's cocoa butter exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 83.1% of total export flows. Other trading partners each represented significantly smaller shares of the export market.

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

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

Imports cocoa butter to Polynesia

Imports in kind, kg

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. In 2018, cocoa butter imports to Polynesia in physical terms reached their minimum at 1 294 kg. Imports then surged in 2019 to 2 754 kg – a 112.8% increase compared to 2018 and the highest level recorded. However, imports declined in 2020 to 1 812 kg, representing a 34.2% decrease from the previous year. The difference between the peak in 2019 and the low in 2018 was 2.1 times.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Polynesia in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, France and New Zealand were the dominant sources for cocoa butter imports to Polynesia in physical terms, jointly absorbing 84.1% of total import volume. The remaining imports were distributed across various smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. In 2018, cocoa butter imports to Polynesia in value terms reached their lowest point at 14 970 US dollars. Imports then increased substantially in 2019 to 35 359 US dollars – a 136.2% rise compared to 2018 and the highest level recorded. However, imports declined in 2020 to 25 050 US dollars, representing a 29.2% decrease from the previous year. The difference between the peak in 2019 and the low in 2018 was 2.4 times.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, France dominated Polynesia's cocoa butter imports in value terms, accounting for 78.8% of total import flows. Other markets collectively formed a less significant portion of the import structure.

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

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