Cocoa powder and cake market in Northern America

Earlier Report Observations

The cocoa powder and cake market in Northern America saw substantial growth from 2018 to 2021, with volume increasing from 247 thousand tons to 285 thousand tons and value rising from $640.6 million to $851.2 million.

A reversal occurred in 2022 and 2023, as market volume fell to 251.2 thousand tons and then 216.8 thousand tons, while value dropped to $702.6 million and $574.7 million. This contraction took place amid regulatory pressures, notably EU cadmium limits on cocoa powder that constrained supply chains. Concurrently, consumer trends shifted towards premium, health-conscious, and ethically sourced products, driving innovation from major companies like Ferrero and Barry Callebaut, who launched new products targeting wellness and seasonal demands.

Production cocoa powder and cake in Northern America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cocoa powder and cake, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Northern America produced 243.1 thousand tons of cocoa powder and cake, marking a 12.5% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 12.7%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.1%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, when production fell by 5.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Cocoa powder and cake production in Northern America rose for the second year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 726.2 million US dollars, up 15.4% from the year before. From 2017 to 2020, production increased by 20.4%, averaging 6.4% per year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 585.7 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 2.9%.

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

Exports cocoa powder and cake from Northern America

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend over the period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 2 344 tons, after hitting their peak in 2017, with a 3.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, cocoa powder and cake deliveries from Northern America totaled 6 559 tons, representing a substantial increase of 179.8% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, when exports fell by 45.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mexico, Brazil, and Australia were the key destinations for exports in kind, accounting for 9.0%, 7.9%, and 6.9% of total exports, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 23.8% of all export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatile behavior during these years. Exports hit their lowest point in 2019 at 6 827 thousand US dollars, following a peak in 2017, with a 3.2-fold fluctuation between these extremes. In 2020, Northern America exported 19 591 thousand US dollars worth of cocoa powder and cake, up 187.0% from the prior year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, when exports dropped by 50.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Mexico, Brazil, and Australia remained the top buyers of cocoa powder and cake from Northern America in value terms, with shares of 12.1%, 9.2%, and 9.0% of total exports, respectively. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 30.3% of all export value.

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

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

Imports cocoa powder and cake to Northern America

Imports in kind, t

Cocoa powder and cake imports into Northern America declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 13 265 tons, showing a significant reduction of 23.7% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 79.9%, which corresponds to an average annual decline of 41.4%.

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

Over the 2017–2020 period, the geographical structure of imports in kind was highly diversified. Côte d'Ivoire, the Netherlands, and Germany were the leading suppliers, accounting for 19.6%, 11.6%, and 8.6% of imports, respectively. Together, they made up only 39.8% of total flows, with the remaining 60.2% distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, imported cocoa powder and cake volumes in Northern America increased. In 2020, import volume was recorded at 70 274 thousand US dollars, equivalent to a robust increase of 10.3% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 19.3%, averaging a 6.9% annual decline. The lowest value was in 2019 at 63 711 thousand US dollars, while the largest drop occurred in 2018, with a decline of 24.4%.

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

In the 2017–2020 period, the Netherlands, Côte d'Ivoire, and France played notable roles as suppliers of cocoa powder and cake to Northern America in value terms, with shares of 16.9%, 15.8%, and 9.1% of total imports, respectively. However, their combined share reached only 41.7%, indicating a diverse import structure.

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

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