Cocoa powder and cake market in Brazil

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, Brazil faced a crisis in its cocoa cultivation that weakened its position in the global market for cocoa derivatives, potentially restraining growth. Nonetheless, exports of cocoa and its products remained substantial, particularly to the United States. By 2020, the structural challenges persisted, but production of cocoa powder and cake stabilized around 110 thousand tons, while market volume increased from 118.2 thousand tons in 2018 to 128.2 thousand tons in 2020.

In 2021, production jumped to 126.2 thousand tons and market volume reached 141.4 thousand tons. This surge was propelled by improved quality of domestic output and advantages from trade agreements within Mercosur, which boosted exports of chocolate and cocoa derivatives. At the same time, rising per capita chocolate consumption in Brazil, exceeding 3.6 kg, supported domestic demand.

Production declined to 109.2 thousand tons in 2022, with market volume dropping to 120.0 thousand tons, even as the Inova Cacau 2030 plan was launched to foster sustainable growth and cultivated area expanded in Pará. High international cocoa prices that began in 2022 raised raw material costs. Output recovered to 119.5 thousand tons in 2023, aided by adverse weather and pests in major producers like Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana, which reduced global supply and created an opportunity for Brazil. By 2024, world cocoa prices hit record levels, but the U.S. imposition of a 50% tariff on Brazilian cocoa derivatives affected competitiveness. In 2025, cocoa grinding in Brazil fell by 14.6% due to lower demand and high raw material prices, although exports of chocolate and cocoa advanced by 86% over the 2021-2025 period, driven by quality and trade agreements.

Production cocoa powder and cake in Brazil

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

On the global stage, Brazil ranked as the 6th largest producer of cocoa powder and cake from 2018 to 2021.

Top producers of cocoa powder and cake, 2018-2021

World map of production of cocoa powder and cake, 2018-2021

Brazil's production of cocoa powder and cake grew for the third year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 126.2 thousand tonnes, marking a strong 14.3% increase compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production rose by 20.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Brazil in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Brazil's cocoa powder and cake production value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the output was valued at 366.8 million US dollars, up 36.7% year-over-year. Between 2018 and 2021, production value grew by 37.4%, translating to an annualized rate of 11.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 261.9 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 1.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Brazil in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports cocoa powder and cake from Brazil

Exports in kind, t

In 2021, Brazil's exports of cocoa powder and cake reached 22 756 tonnes, a 9.7% increase from 2020. From 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 7.1%, with an average annual rate of 2.3%. The lowest volume was in 2020 at 20 745 tonnes, which experienced the largest decline of 15.1%. In contrast, the highest volume was in 2019 at 24 444 tonnes, with the largest increase of 15.0%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Argentina, the Netherlands, and Chile were the primary destinations for Brazil's cocoa powder and cake exports in volume terms. Argentina accounted for 44.0% of exports, the Netherlands for 14.9%, and Chile for 12.0%, together making up 70.9% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2021, the value of cocoa powder and cake exports from Brazil amounted to 66 167 thousand US dollars, a 31.2% rise year-over-year. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value increased by 21.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 50 430 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 13.1%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Argentina, the Netherlands, and the United States were the main buyers of Brazilian cocoa powder and cake in value terms. Argentina represented 42.5% of exports, the Netherlands 16.1%, and the United States 12.3%, collectively forming 70.8% of total export value.

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

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

Imports cocoa powder and cake to Brazil

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, Brazil's imports of cocoa powder and cake totaled 37 997 tonnes, a slight decrease of 1.4% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports increased by 8.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.8%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 29 563 tonnes, which experienced the largest decline of 15.4%. The highest volume was in 2020 at 38 524 tonnes, with the largest increase of 30.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Netherlands were the key sources for Brazil's cocoa powder and cake imports in volume terms. Indonesia accounted for 31.4% of imports, Malaysia for 14.6%, and the Netherlands for 11.8%, together representing 57.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Brazil's imports of cocoa powder and cake grew in value for the second year in a row. In 2021, imports totaled 89 404 thousand US dollars, a 17.5% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, import value rose by 42.1%, with an average annual rate of 12.4%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 51 978 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 17.4%. The largest increase was in 2020 at 46.3%.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Netherlands remained the main markets for Brazil's cocoa powder and cake imports in value terms. Indonesia represented 27.2% of imports, Malaysia 15.6%, and the Netherlands 12.6%, jointly accounting for 55.4% of total flows.

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

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