Cocoa butter market in Southern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the cocoa butter market in Southern Asia experienced some volatility. In 2018, the market volume reached 30 248 metric tons, supported by the introduction of new cocoa butter product lines in beauty applications and increasing consumer preference for natural ingredients. However, by 2019, market size declined to 27 621 metric tons, even as companies launched improved cocoa butter products with enhanced shelf life for chocolate applications. The downward trend continued into 2020, with consumption dropping to 25 545 metric tons.

The market rebounded from 2021 onward. Growing consumer awareness of the health benefits of cocoa butter and rising demand for premium chocolate products helped lift consumption to 26 518 metric tons in 2021. A major expansion in the use of cocoa butter in skincare and personal care products then drove a sharp increase to 31 778 metric tons in 2022. In 2023, the market stabilized at 31 341 metric tons, alongside increased investments in sustainable sourcing and the emergence of innovative product formats like waterless face balms.

In 2024, new EU deforestation regulations requiring traceable sourcing came into effect, and severe supply shortages from West Africa due to climate impacts led to significant price volatility, influencing market conditions.

Production cocoa butter in Southern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cocoa butter, 2017-2020

World map of production of cocoa butter, 2017-2020

Cocoa butter production in Southern Asia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 22,557 tonnes, representing a 6.9% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 12.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 27,335 tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 with an 11.3% drop, while the largest increase was observed in 2018 at 6.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Southern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports cocoa butter from Southern Asia

Exports in kind, t

Cocoa butter exports from Southern Asia declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 0.0 tonnes, marking a substantial 99.7% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 100%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 95.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France and Malaysia were the primary destinations for cocoa butter exports in kind, collectively accounting for 85.3% of total export flows. Other trading partners individually contributed much smaller shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Cocoa butter shipments from Southern Asia to abroad declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export value reached 0.1 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp 99.8% drop compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 100%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 96.7%.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, France was the dominant buyer of cocoa butter from Southern Asia in value terms, accounting for 79.0% of total exports. Other countries shared the remaining export volume.

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

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

Imports cocoa butter to Southern Asia

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Southern Asia imported 2,988 tonnes of cocoa butter, showing a significant 12.0% decline compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 22%, with an annualized decline rate of 8.0%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 18.1%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 8.3%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Turkey (47.3% of imports in kind), Indonesia (22.0% of imports in kind), and the United Arab Emirates (12.6% of imports in kind) were the key sources for cocoa butter imports in kind. Together, these three countries accounted for 81.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Southern Asia imported 18,973 thousand US dollars worth of cocoa butter in 2020, representing an 8.3% contraction compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 29.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -10.9%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 28.7%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 7.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey (47.3% of imports in value terms), Indonesia (19.9% of imports in value terms), and the United Arab Emirates (15.7% of imports in value terms) were the leading sources in the country structure of cocoa butter imports in value terms. These three countries combined accounted for 83.0% of total import flows.

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

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