Cocoa butter market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The cocoa butter market in Western Europe grew from USD 4.5 billion in 2018 to USD 5.8 billion in 2020, driven by rising chocolate consumption and increasing demand for natural ingredients in cosmetics. The entry of new product lines focused on organic and Fair-Trade cocoa butter, along with strengthened consumer preference for premium and vegan products, expanded the market. Growing awareness for clean-label and sustainability further supported demand, particularly in organic skincare products.

After stabilizing around USD 5.7 billion in 2021, a year that saw product innovations like waterless cocoa butter balms to reduce packaging waste, the market fell to USD 4.5 billion in 2022. This decline was linked to global supply chain disruptions and rising raw material prices, which limited availability and increased costs. Increasing regulatory requirements in Europe regarding cocoa traceability and sustainability also added pressure.

In 2023, the market recovered to USD 5.1 billion as climate-related crop failures in West Africa led to supply shortages and rising cocoa butter prices. Continued demand, especially for ethically produced products, supported the value growth. By 2024, the implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation and further investments in sustainable supply chains continued to shape the market landscape.

Production cocoa butter in Western Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cocoa butter, 2017-2020

World map of production of cocoa butter, 2017-2020

Cocoa butter production in Western Europe declined after two years of growth. In 2020, production reached 438.9 K t, marking a slight decrease of 2.7% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 22.2%, which translates to an annualized rate of 6.9%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 451.1 K t, with the largest annual increase of 24.8% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Europe in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Cocoa butter production value in Western Europe increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 5 713 M $ US, showing a modest rise of 4.1% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 25.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.0%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 4 465 M $ US, which saw the largest decline of 1.7%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 23.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Europe in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports cocoa butter from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Market performance showed significant fluctuations during this period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2019 at 211.4 K t, with the highest recorded in 2017, resulting in a two-fold difference between these years. In 2020, foreign cocoa butter supplies from Western Europe amounted to 379.0 K t, representing a sharp increase of 79.3% from the previous year. The largest decline was in 2019, dropping by 50.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Western Europe in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, cocoa butter exports in kind were spread across a diverse range of partner countries. The United Kingdom accounted for 9.0% of exports, Poland for 8.6%, and Italy for 7.2%, with these three countries together making up just 24.8% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, cocoa butter exports from Western Europe reached 2 525 M $ US, a slight decrease of 0.9% compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 515 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 1.5%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 1.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the country structure of exports in value terms was highly diversified. The United Kingdom contributed 9.0% of exports, Poland 8.7%, and Italy 7.2%, with these three countries together accounting for only 24.9% of total flows. The remaining 75.1% came from a long tail of smaller markets.

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

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

Imports cocoa butter to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Cocoa butter import volume in Western Europe increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 308.5 K t, indicating a sharp rise of 26.3% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 29.4%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 11.0%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 236.4 K t, which experienced the largest decline of 45.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Western Europe in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the partner landscape for imports in kind was broad. Côte d'Ivoire accounted for 11.2% of imports, Ghana for 10.9%, and Indonesia for 5.6%, with these three countries together forming only 27.7% of total flows. The substantial majority, 72.3%, came from many other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Cross-border shipments of cocoa butter to Western Europe increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 2 610 M $ US, up by 0.6% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 4.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.4%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports in value terms relied on a wide range of partner countries. Ghana contributed 10.8% of imports, Côte d'Ivoire 10.7%, and Indonesia 5.4%, with these three countries together taking just 26.9% of total flows.

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

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