Cocoa powder and cake market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the German cocoa powder and cake market saw moderate volume changes but a clear rise in value. Stable import and price conditions characterized the initial period. The introduction of new EU traceability standards for cocoa in 2019 began influencing industry practices, albeit slowly. Supply chain disruptions from COVID-19 in 2020 temporarily constrained cocoa bean availability at German ports, contributing to higher prices and pushing market value to 317.6 million USD, even as physical volume increased slightly to 130.1 thousand tons.

Between 2021 and 2023, consumer trends and supply shocks shaped the market. Growing demand for organic and fair-trade cocoa in 2021 supported a further increase in market value to 337.4 million USD, despite a volume drop to 116.8 thousand tons, as consumers shifted toward premium products. Preparations for the upcoming EU deforestation-free supply chain regulation (EUDR) gained momentum in 2022. In 2023, crop failures in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana triggered a sharp rise in import prices for cocoa beans, driving market value up to 411.7 million USD while physical volume contracted to 124.6 thousand tons.

In 2024, record cocoa prices prevailed, with import prices for cocoa beans surging 73.4% in January year-on-year. Regulatory developments, including the entry into force of the EUDR and preparations for stricter EU nickel limits, added complexity. Despite these pressures, cocoa processing in Germany showed strong growth, and consumer demand for sustainable cocoa remained high, with 86% of cocoa products purchased in Germany sourced sustainably.

Production cocoa powder and cake in Germany

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany ranked third globally in cocoa powder and cake production volume.

Top producers of cocoa powder and cake, 2017-2020

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

Following two years of growth, cocoa powder and cake production in Germany declined. In 2020, Germany produced 183.4 K t of cocoa powder and cake, marking a 1.2% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 2.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 185.6 K t, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 2.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of decline, Germany's cocoa powder and cake production value increased. In 2020, output was valued at 447.8 M $ US, showing a strong 12.7% improvement from the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 397.2 M $ US, with the largest annual decline occurring in 2018 at 6.0%.

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

Exports cocoa powder and cake from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, cocoa powder and cake export volumes from Germany declined. In 2020, exports totaled 118.5 K t, down 11.2% from the prior year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 133.5 K t, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 11.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export market for cocoa powder and cake from Germany was diverse. France accounted for 13.3% of exports, Russia for 9.4%, and Italy for 8.6%, together representing just 31.3% of total flows. The remaining 68.7% was distributed among numerous other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Germany's cocoa powder and cake exports were valued at 289.4 M $ US, showing a 1.3% gain compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 285.6 M $ US, while the highest was in 2018 at 295.0 M $ US. The largest annual decline occurred in 2019 at 3.2%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 2.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country composition of Germany's cocoa powder and cake exports in value terms was dispersed. France accounted for 15.2% of exports, Italy for 9.5%, and Russia for 8.3%, together forming just 32.9% of total flows. The remaining 67.1% was split among a wide range of other destinations.

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

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

Imports cocoa powder and cake to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Cocoa powder and cake imports to Germany declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 65.2 K t, indicating a robust 10.5% reduction compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 6.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.1%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 73.1 K t, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 5.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands was the main source for cocoa powder and cake imports to Germany, accounting for 54.6% of imports in kind. Côte d'Ivoire contributed 12.2%, and Ghana 8.3%, with these three countries together representing 75.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of decrease, Germany's cocoa powder and cake import value increased. In 2020, imports amounted to 159.3 M $ US, equivalent to a slight rise of 2.6% compared with 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 9%, equating to an annualized rate of -3.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 155.2 M $ US, with the largest annual decline occurring in 2018 at 6.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands was the primary source for cocoa powder and cake imports to Germany in value terms, accounting for 57.4% of imports. Côte d'Ivoire contributed 10.8%, and France 7.5%, with these three countries together forming 75.7% of total import flows.

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

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