Cocoa powder and cake market in China

Earlier Report Observations

The market for cocoa powder and cake in China contracted from 69 044 t (129.4 million USD) in 2018 to 47 397 t (105.3 million USD) in 2020. This decline coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which accelerated a shift to online sales channels and heightened consumer focus on health and balanced nutrition, temporarily affecting demand for baking ingredients. Even prior to the pandemic, capital was flowing into new Chinese pastry and cake segments, as seen with brands like Bao Shifu securing Series A funding in 2018, but this innovation initially did not prevent an overall market contraction.

A strong recovery began in 2021, with market volume rebounding to 61 800 t (153.1 million USD) and further rising to 69 357 t (201.1 million USD) by 2023. This growth was primarily driven by the rapid expansion of China's broader baking food market, which exceeded 2600 billion yuan in 2021 and continued growing at around 9-10% annually. The rise of new Chinese dessert brands and intensified competition with Western-style pastries increased product variety and innovation, boosting demand for cocoa powder as a key ingredient. The consumer trend towards healthier, low-sugar, and low-fat baked goods further supported cocoa's use as a natural flavor component.

Throughout the period, regulatory changes reinforced market dynamics. The 2022 ban on the production and sale of foods containing gold and silver foil powder underscored stricter food safety controls, prompting manufacturers to focus on high-quality raw materials. Technological and logistical advancements, particularly the maturation of the 'central factory + e-commerce + cold chain logistics' model, improved supply chain efficiency and product accessibility, supporting steady market growth despite earlier volatility.

Production cocoa powder and cake in China

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, China ranked as the 21st largest producer of cocoa powder and cake globally.

Top producers of cocoa powder and cake, 2017-2020

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

China's cocoa powder and cake production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 16 632 tonnes, representing a 26.0% decrease compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 20.7%, which translates to an annualized decline of 7.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 23 163 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 10.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

China's cocoa powder and cake production value also declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 24 710 thousand US dollars, marking a significant 12.4% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value decreased by 22.6%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 8.2%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 32 920 thousand US dollars, which saw a modest 3.1% increase. However, the largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 14.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in China in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports cocoa powder and cake from China

Exports in kind, t

China's cocoa powder and cake exports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 15 590 tonnes, up 6.9% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 19.1%, with an annualized growth rate of 6.0%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 9 265 tonnes, which saw a substantial 29.2% decline. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase of 57.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China exported cocoa powder and cake to numerous countries, with no single destination dominating. The top three markets—Sri Lanka, Spain, and Indonesia—collectively accounted for only 27.0% of total export volume.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

China's cocoa powder and cake export value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 23.2 million US dollars, rising 26.4% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 16.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 5.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 13.2 million US dollars, which saw a 33.9% decline. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 39.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, China's cocoa powder and cake exports were distributed across many markets without a dominant player. The top three destinations—Sri Lanka (11.1% of export value), Spain (7.8%), and Indonesia (6.5%)—together represented just 25.4% of total export value, with numerous smaller partners holding modest individual shares.

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

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

Imports cocoa powder and cake to China

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, China's cocoa powder and cake imports totaled 46 355 tonnes, increasing 5.4% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 11.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.6%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 55 146 tonnes, which saw the largest annual increase of 32.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 20.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Malaysia (35.0% of import volume), Indonesia (21.9%), and Singapore (15.9%) were the leading sources for China's cocoa powder and cake imports, collectively accounting for 72.8% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, China imported 103.7 million US dollars worth of cocoa powder and cake, up 9.3% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value increased by 3.5%, with a CAGR of 1.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 94.9 million US dollars, which saw a 13.4% decline. The highest value occurred in 2018 at 109.6 million US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 9.4%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Malaysia (35.3% of import value), Singapore (21.9%), and Indonesia (18.1%) formed the core group of suppliers for China's cocoa powder and cake imports, together representing 75.3% of total import value.

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

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