Cocoa powder and cake market in Central America

Earlier Report Observations

The cocoa powder and cake market in Central America opened the period at 62 132 tons in 2018, then contracted to 48 652 tons in 2019 and further to 38 090 tons in 2020. Early in the period, an insufficient supply of Guatemalan cocoa beans—despite their quality recognition—prompted private and government efforts to boost the production chain for export, which may have reinforced the market's initial reliance on imports to sustain volume.

Market volume partially recovered to 43 217 tons in 2021 before moderating to 40 061 tons in 2022 and stabilizing at 40 060 tons in 2023. During the latter phase, Guatemala's approval of a 2022‑2032 Regional Cocoa Strategy aimed at improving productive capacity coincided with a reported rise in per‑capita chocolate consumption in Honduras, pointing to underlying demand support and ongoing efforts to strengthen the sector's foundation.

Production cocoa powder and cake in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of cocoa powder and cake, 2017-2020

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

In 2019, Central America produced 45 205 tons of cocoa powder and cake, marking the highest output during this period. However, production fell sharply to 18 138 tons in 2020, representing a 59.9% decline compared to the previous year. Over the entire period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 57.8%, which translates to an average annual decline of 25.0%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, when production rose by 7.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Central America in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two consecutive years of growth, Central America's cocoa powder and cake production experienced a significant downturn. In 2019, production reached its peak value of 123.7 million US dollars. However, by 2020, the value had dropped to 54.5 million US dollars, a 55.9% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value fell by 44.2%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 17.7%. The largest year-on-year increase was recorded in 2018, when production value rose by 22.5%.

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

Exports cocoa powder and cake from Central America

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes of cocoa powder and cake from Central America showed considerable volatility between 2017 and 2020. In 2017, exports hit their lowest point, while 2018 saw the highest volume at 976 tons, creating a 4.2-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, exports amounted to 824 tons, representing a significant 34.4% increase compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when exports fell by 37.2%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 with a remarkable 324.3% surge.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Central America's cocoa powder and cake exports were distributed across multiple destinations rather than being concentrated in a few key markets. The United States accounted for 36.2% of export volumes, Spain for 4.9%, and Poland for 4.3%. Together, these three countries represented just 45.4% of total export flows, indicating a diverse export market structure.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of cocoa powder and cake exports from Central America exhibited significant volatility during this period. In 2017, export values reached their lowest point, while 2018 saw the highest value at 2 767 thousand US dollars, creating a 5.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports were valued at 2 478 thousand US dollars, representing a dramatic 47.7% increase compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 39.3% decrease, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 with a remarkable 428.5% surge.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Central America's cocoa powder and cake exports in value terms showed a diversified market structure. The United States was the largest buyer with 37.1% of export value, followed by the Netherlands with 3.8% and Japan with 3.0%. Together, these three countries accounted for 43.9% of total export value, while the remaining 56.1% was distributed among numerous other trading partners.

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

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

Imports cocoa powder and cake to Central America

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes of cocoa powder and cake into Central America showed substantial fluctuations between 2017 and 2020. In 2019, imports reached their lowest point at 4 060 tons, while 2018 saw the highest volume at 20 895 tons, creating a 5.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports totaled {value_last_year} tons, representing a dramatic 411.7% increase compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with an 80.6% decrease.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Central America's cocoa powder and cake imports were concentrated among a few key suppliers. The United States accounted for 27.4% of import volumes, the Netherlands for 24.4%, and Spain for 10.2%. Together, these three countries represented 62.0% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of cocoa powder and cake imports into Central America showed significant volatility during this period. In 2019, import values reached their lowest point at 11 365 thousand US dollars, while 2020 saw the highest value at 52 775 thousand US dollars, creating a 4.6-fold difference between these years. The 2020 figure represented a sharp 364.4% increase compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 77.8% decrease.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Central America's cocoa powder and cake imports in value terms were dominated by three key suppliers. The United States accounted for 28.3% of import value, the Netherlands for 23.6%, and Spain for 9.6%. Together, these three countries represented 61.4% of total import flows.

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

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