Cocoa powder and cake market in France

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the French cocoa powder and cake market volume increased from 81.5 thousand tons to 98.3 thousand tons. This expansion coincided with the launch of the French Initiative for Sustainable Cocoa (IFCD) in 2018, which mobilized the state, industry, and civil society to promote responsible sourcing and better farmer incomes. Concurrently, a marked shift in consumer preference toward dark chocolate and premium products, along with strengthened European labeling regulations for chocolate in 2020, boosted demand for transparent and high-quality offerings.

After reaching a peak in 2020, market volume fell to 78.7 thousand tons in 2021. A partial recovery to 84.0 thousand tons occurred in 2022, supported by the adoption of a detailed IFCD roadmap targeting sustainable income and deforestation elimination. However, from late 2022, a severe cocoa supply crisis in West Africa, driven by crop disease and unfavorable weather, led to historic price surges. By 2023, these supply constraints and soaring costs reduced the French market volume to 75.8 thousand tons.

Production cocoa powder and cake in France

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, France ranked as the world's 7th largest producer of cocoa powder and cake by volume, establishing itself among the global leaders in this sector.

Top producers of cocoa powder and cake, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, France produced 101.0 K t of cocoa powder and cake, marking a significant 21.4% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 14.2%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 4.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 83.2 K t, when output declined by 9.7%.

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

Exports cocoa powder and cake from France

Exports in kind, t

France's exports of cocoa powder and cake declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 46 774 t, a slight decrease of 0.6% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 2.8%, with an annualized growth rate of 0.9%. The peak export volume occurred in 2018 at 62 255 t, which represented a substantial 36.9% increase from the previous year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest decline of 24.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France's cocoa powder and cake exports were distributed across a diverse range of partner countries. Germany accounted for 16.9% of export volume, the United States for 14.7%, and Italy for 11.7%, with these three markets together representing 43.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, France exported $157.3 million worth of cocoa powder and cake, showing a 12.6% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 12.8%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 4.1%. The only decline during this period occurred in 2019, when exports decreased by 1.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France's cocoa powder and cake exports reached numerous international markets. Even the top three destinations—the United States, Germany, and Belgium—together accounted for just 42.4% of total export value, indicating a broad distribution across trading partners.

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

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

Imports cocoa powder and cake to France

Imports in kind, t

France's imports of cocoa powder and cake declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 44 058 t, a decrease of 9.3% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 6.2%, with an annualized growth rate of 2.0%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 51 610 t, representing a 24.5% increase from 2017.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France's cocoa powder and cake imports were dominated by three key suppliers: the Netherlands accounted for 43.6% of import volume, Germany for 24.2%, and Côte d'Ivoire for 9.7%. Together, these three countries represented 77.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

France's imports of cocoa powder and cake increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching $123.4 million, a modest 2.6% rise year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 10.4%, with an annualized growth rate of 3.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three main suppliers—the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium—together accounted for 77.8% of the total value of cocoa powder and cake imports into France.

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

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