Cocoa powder and cake market in Northern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for cocoa powder and cake in Northern Africa showed considerable variability between 2018 and 2022. Starting at 53 903 t in 2018, it rose to 59 958 t in 2019 before dipping to 56 863 t in 2020. A recovery followed in 2021, reaching 61 084 t, but a sharp contraction occurred in 2022, bringing the volume down to 52 763 t.

In 2023, the market expanded markedly to 61 746 t. A key driver was the increased on-site processing of cocoa beans in Côte d'Ivoire, where 35% of production was transformed before export, boosting the supply of cocoa powder and cake available to the North African region. Concurrently, supply shortages of cocoa beans in West Africa caused by weather-related diseases led to a spike in global cocoa prices, adding cost pressure for importers.

For 2024, import volumes into Northern Africa climbed to 61 577 t, signaling continued market growth. This was underpinned by rising regional demand, particularly from the food and beverage sectors in Africa and the Middle East. Investments in cocoa production and processing, along with the emergence of premium and organic segments, catered to evolving consumer preferences for higher-quality and sustainable products.

Production cocoa powder and cake in Northern Africa

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

Northern Africa's cocoa powder and cake production saw a two-year increase before declining. In 2019, production peaked at 8 807 tonnes, marking an 18.2% increase from the previous year. However, by 2020, production had fallen to 5 024 tonnes, representing a significant 43.0% drop compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 21.2%, which translates to an average annual decline of 7.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports cocoa powder and cake from Northern Africa

Exports in kind, t

Northern Africa's cocoa powder and cake exports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volume stood at 36 tonnes, down by 33.9% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 82.3%, with an average annual decline of 43.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Northern Africa's cocoa powder and cake exports were not heavily concentrated on a few key destinations. Kenya accounted for 18.6% of exports in kind, Kuwait for 11.0%, and Lebanon for 10.6%. Together, these three countries made up only 40.2% of total export flows, indicating a relatively diversified market.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Northern Africa's cocoa powder and cake export values showed noticeable fluctuations during the period. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 0.1 million US dollars, while the maximum occurred in 2017, resulting in a 3.9-fold variation between these years. In 2020, exports rebounded to 0.2 million US dollars, representing an 80.6% increase compared to 2019. The largest decline was in 2019, with a 59.0% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Northern Africa's cocoa powder and cake export portfolio was broad in terms of value. Kenya contributed 18.3% of exports in value terms, Kuwait 11.3%, and Lebanon 10.9%. Combined, these three countries accounted for only 40.5% of total export value, with many other countries holding smaller but notable shares.

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

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

Imports cocoa powder and cake to Northern Africa

Imports in kind, t

Northern Africa's cocoa powder and cake imports increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 51 875 tonnes, up by 1.3% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 44.8%, with an average annual increase of 13.1%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Spain, the Netherlands, and Malaysia played leading roles in Northern Africa's cocoa powder and cake imports in kind. Spain accounted for 28.8% of imports, the Netherlands for 22.2%, and Malaysia for 13.9%. Together, these three countries represented 64.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Northern Africa's cocoa powder and cake import values increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 118.1 million US dollars, showing a substantial rise of 12.2% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 39.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, the Netherlands, and Malaysia remained the key sources for Northern Africa's cocoa powder and cake imports in value terms. Spain contributed 27.0% of imports, the Netherlands 22.7%, and Malaysia 14.8%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 64.6% of total import flows.

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

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