Cocoa powder and cake market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

The Belgian cocoa powder and cake market volume grew strongly in 2019, reaching 89,422 tonnes, driven by the increasing share of certified sustainable chocolate under the Beyond Chocolate initiative and efforts to ensure a living income for cocoa farmers. This sustainability push continued into 2021, when market volume surged to 114,910 tonnes, supported by new product trends such as organic, fair-trade, and bean-to-bar chocolates that attracted consumer interest.

Market volume faced challenges in 2020 and 2022. It dipped to 81,387 tonnes in 2020 amid market consolidation and heightened competition from international brands. A more pronounced decline to 102,731 tonnes occurred in 2022 as cocoa prices began to climb sharply due to climatic and geopolitical disruptions, raising production costs. By 2023, despite record cocoa price increases of over 130%, market volume stabilized at 104,932 tonnes, aided by investments in sustainable production capacity like Belcolade's carbon-neutral plant and the development of innovative products such as lactose-free chocolate.

Production cocoa powder and cake in Belgium

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Belgium ranked 9th globally in the production of cocoa powder and cake.

Top producers of cocoa powder and cake, 2017-2020

World map of production of cocoa powder and cake, 2017-2020

In 2020, Belgium produced 59 744 tonnes of cocoa powder and cake, marking a 14.4% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 13.5%, which translates to an average annual decline of 4.7%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 50 478 tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 69 776 tonnes. The most significant drop occurred in 2018 with a 26.9% decrease, whereas the largest increase was in 2019 with a 38.2% rise.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output of cocoa powder and cake in Belgium was valued at 254.4 million US dollars, representing a 6.0% year-over-year decrease. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 186.0 million US dollars, and the highest in 2019 at 270.7 million US dollars. The most substantial decline was in 2018 with a 27.3% drop, while the largest increase was in 2019 with a 45.5% gain.

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

Exports cocoa powder and cake from Belgium

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Belgium exported 3 991 tonnes of cocoa powder and cake, which is 26.2% lower than in 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 20.3%, equating to an average annual rate of 7.3%. The peak export volume was in 2019 at 5 404 tonnes, with the largest increase that year at 26.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Belgium's exports of cocoa powder and cake in kind were relatively evenly distributed. The Netherlands accounted for 15.6% of exports, the United Kingdom for 9.4%, and the United States for 9.2%, together making up only 34.1% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, cocoa powder and cake shipments from Belgium reached 16 997 thousand US dollars, down by 18.9% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 8.5%, with an average annual decline of 2.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 15 773 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2019 at 20 963 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 32.9% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium's export structure in value terms remained highly diversified. The United States accounted for 10.4% of exports, the United Kingdom for 9.8%, and the Netherlands for 9.2%, together representing only 29.4% of total flows. The remaining 70.6% consisted of a long tail of smaller markets.

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

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

Imports cocoa powder and cake to Belgium

Imports in kind, t

Belgium's imports of cocoa powder and cake increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 25 634 tonnes, corresponding to a 2.3% year-over-year gain. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 23 532 tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 6.4%. The largest increase was in 2019 with a 6.5% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands accounted for 34.6% of Belgium's imports in kind, Germany for 22.7%, and France for 19.6%, forming the main cluster of markets with a combined share of 76.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Belgium's imports of cocoa powder and cake increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 71 961 thousand US dollars, constituting an 8.5% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 6.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 63 564 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 6.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands absorbed 33.7% of Belgium's imports in value terms, France 26.5%, and Germany 20.7%, together accounting for 80.9% of total imports, making them the primary sources.

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

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