Market research

Cocoa butter market in South Africa

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

The cocoa butter market in South Africa saw its volume fluctuate between 5 500 and 6 500 т from 2018 to 2023. After a drop to 5 508 т in 2019, the market gradually recovered, peaking at 6 197 т in 2022 before a slight contraction to 5 912 т in 2023.

From 2022, shifting consumer preferences towards mindful indulgence and sustainability began influencing demand for cocoa butter products. By 2024, global supply constraints and rising cocoa prices affected processing and market conditions, while ongoing trends emphasized ethical consumption and technological changes in cultivation.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2025
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2025
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in South Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Africa, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Africa, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Africa, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2025, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2025
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2025, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2025
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Africa, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from South Africa by countries, 2018-2025, $ US/kg
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2025
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production cocoa butter in South Africa

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of cocoa butter, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of cocoa butter, 2018-2021

Source: SHEV.io

South Africa's cocoa butter production has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the country produced 2,502 tonnes of cocoa butter, representing a 10.8% year-on-year growth. Production reached its lowest point in 2019 at 2,081 tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 12.1% during the period. Overall, between 2018 and 2021, production grew by 5.6%, translating to an annualized rate of 1.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(12.1%)	8.5%	10.8%	1.8%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports cocoa butter from South Africa

Exports in kind, t

The export market for cocoa butter from South Africa showed significant volatility in recent years. Exports hit their lowest point in 2020 at 14 tonnes, which marked the largest decline of 30.1%. In 2021, exports rebounded sharply to 41 tonnes, reflecting a substantial increase of 188.3% compared to the previous year. Overall, exports varied by a factor of 2.9 between the low in 2020 and the high in 2021.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(28.2%)	(30.1%)	188.3%	13.1%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, Kenya, Zambia, and Zimbabwe were the primary destinations for South Africa's cocoa butter exports in volume terms. Kenya accounted for 33.3% of exports, Zambia for 24.0%, and Zimbabwe for 12.5%. Together, these three countries absorbed 69.8% of total cocoa butter exports from South Africa.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

South Africa's cocoa butter export value has declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports totaled 105,000 US dollars, down by 16.7% year-on-year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 147,000 US dollars, which saw the largest increase of 18.2%. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 15.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -5.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South Africa in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	18.2%	(14.5%)	(16.7%)	(5.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2018 and 2021, Kenya, Zambia, and Mozambique formed the core of South Africa's cocoa butter exports in value terms. Kenya led with 53.4% of exports, followed by Zambia at 12.3%, and Mozambique at 9.9%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 75.6% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports cocoa butter to South Africa

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, South Africa imported 3,617 tonnes of cocoa butter, marking a decrease of 2.9% compared to the previous year. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 3,447 tonnes, which experienced the largest decline of 17.0%. In 2020, imports saw the largest increase of 8.1%. Overall, from 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 13%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -4.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in kind, 2018-2021, t

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(17.0%)	8.1%	(2.9%)	(4.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore were the main sources of cocoa butter imports to South Africa in volume terms. Indonesia accounted for 42.6% of imports, Malaysia for 27.1%, and Singapore for 22.6%. Together, these three countries supplied 92.3% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2021, South Africa's cocoa butter import value totaled 18,695,000 US dollars, corresponding to a decrease of 12.4% compared to 2020. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 23.5%, while the largest increase occurred in 2020 at 12.6%. Between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 24.5%, equating to an annualized rate of -9.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South Africa in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Parameter		2019	2020	2021	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(23.5%)	12.6%	(12.4%)	(9.0%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2018 to 2021, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore were the key markets for South Africa's cocoa butter imports in value terms. Indonesia represented 42.7% of imports, Malaysia 27.0%, and Singapore 21.5%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 91.2% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io