Cocoa butter market in the United States

Earlier Report Observations

The U.S. cocoa butter market volume grew steadily from 242.6 thousand tons in 2020 to a peak of 277.8 thousand tons in 2021, driven by increased domestic production which rose by 26 thousand tons that year. This expansion was followed by a contraction, with the market size declining to 232.0 thousand tons by 2023 as production fell by 20 thousand tons and import volumes fluctuated.

A notable market development in early 2023 was the entry of new domestic production capacity, exemplified by the Aggie Chocolate Factory at Utah State University becoming one of the first U.S. facilities involved in cocoa butter processing. By 2024, severe supply shortages from weather disruptions in West African growing regions and broader global supply chain challenges sharply increased prices, reduced U.S. imports to 88.2 thousand tons, and altered trade flows as exports rose to 29.5 thousand tons.

Production cocoa butter in the United States

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, the United States ranked as the third-largest producer of cocoa butter from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of cocoa butter, 2017-2020

World map of production of cocoa butter, 2017-2020

Following a two-year decline, cocoa butter production in the United States rebounded in 2020, reaching 164.6 thousand tons. This marked a moderate year-over-year increase of 8.2%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 2.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 152.1 thousand tons, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 5.9% drop.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of cocoa butter output in the United States stood at 781.0 million US dollars, reflecting a substantial 23.7% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value grew by 23.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.4%. The most significant decline was observed in 2019, with a 0.9% decrease.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports cocoa butter from the United States

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, the United States exported 20.2 thousand tons of cocoa butter, representing a substantial 17.2% decline from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 16.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.9%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 24.4 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 9.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the structure of cocoa butter exports in volume terms was dominated by a single market: Canada, which accounted for 94.9% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of cocoa butter exports from the United States reached 96.0 million US dollars, showing a 5.3% year-over-year decline. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 5.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 89.8 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 101.4 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 12.9%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Canada remained the key partner for cocoa butter exports in value terms, accounting for 96.1% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020

Imports cocoa butter to the United States

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, cocoa butter imports into the United States totaled 98.2 thousand tons, indicating a robust 14.3% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports declined by 12.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.2%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 114.6 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 5.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the leading suppliers of cocoa butter to the United States in volume terms were Indonesia with 47.4% of imports, Malaysia with 20.9%, and Brazil with 10.1%. Together, these three countries accounted for 78.4% of total import volumes.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

After two consecutive years of growth, cocoa butter imports into the United States declined in 2020, amounting to 573.9 million US dollars. This represented a strong 14.8% reduction compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value decreased by 3.6%, with an annualized rate of 1.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 673.6 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 8.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the top suppliers of cocoa butter to the United States in value terms were Indonesia with 47.7% of imports, Malaysia with 20.7%, and Brazil with 9.7%. Collectively, these three countries made up 78.1% of total import value.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in value, 2017-2020