Cocoa powder and cake market in Samoa

Earlier Report Observations

Samoa's cocoa powder and cake market volume experienced notable fluctuations from 2018 to 2023. The market opened at 237.1 t in 2018, bolstered by a NZ$8.5 million injection from the New Zealand government to revive the industry and the establishment of the Samoa Cocoa Industry Association (SKIA). These initiatives supported major exporters like Va’ai Plantations, which increased cocoa supplies to partners such as Whittaker’s Chocolates.

Market volume declined to 209.4 t in 2019, partly due to labor shortages that constrained production, while imports also fell. A recovery followed in 2020, with volume rising to 215.8 t as local chocolate company Wilex Samoa launched new products like Peanut Chokky Slabs, diversifying output and expanding export opportunities with SKIA's support. However, volume dropped sharply to 168.4 t in 2021, impacted by environmental challenges and shifts in consumer preferences that hindered production growth.

The market rebounded strongly from 2022 onward. Savai’i Koko's bumper harvest of about 20,000 pods in 2022 drove production higher, lifting market volume to 225.2 t, aided by continued government emphasis on cocoa as a revenue-earning crop. In 2023, global cocoa demand and price surges further stimulated the sector, with volume reaching 258.6 t, supported by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries' market information efforts to aid producers.

Production cocoa powder and cake in Samoa

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

In 2020, Samoa produced 183.5 tons of cocoa powder and cake, representing a moderate 8.8% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 7.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 168.6 tons, which saw the largest decline of 6.4%.

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

Exports cocoa powder and cake from Samoa

Exports in kind, kg

Export volumes showed significant volatility during this period. In 2019, exports reached their lowest point at 1 342 kg, with the largest decline of 87.0%. By 2020, exports surged to 17 454 kg, marking an extraordinary increase of 1 200.7% from the previous year. The difference between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2019 was 13-fold.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Samoa in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—New Zealand, Australia, and American Samoa—collectively accounted for 85.3% of Samoa's total cocoa powder and cake exports by volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values followed an unstable pattern throughout the timeframe. The lowest point occurred in 2019 at 6.3 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 87.2%. In 2020, exports peaked at 74.3 thousand US dollars, reflecting a dramatic increase of 1 085.7% from the previous year. The gap between the 2020 peak and the 2019 trough was 11.9-fold.

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

During 2017-2020, Australia (38.1% of export value), Tokelau (34.3%), and New Zealand (15.1%) consistently served as the main destinations for Samoa's cocoa powder and cake exports by value, together representing 87.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports cocoa powder and cake to Samoa

Imports in kind, kg

In 2020, Samoa imported 49 800 kg of cocoa powder and cake, showing an 18.2% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 23.5%, with an average annual decline of 8.5%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 67 226 kg, while the lowest was in 2019 at 42 129 kg, which saw the largest decline of 37.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Samoa in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, Indonesia (66.3% of import volume), Fiji (11.2%), and New Zealand (9.2%) remained the primary suppliers of cocoa powder and cake to Samoa, collectively accounting for 86.6% of total imports by volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Samoa's cocoa powder and cake imports reached 116.8 thousand US dollars, a 16.4% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports declined by 16.6%, with an average annual decrease of 5.9%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 148.0 thousand US dollars, while the lowest was in 2019 at 100.4 thousand US dollars, which experienced the largest decline of 32.2%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Indonesia (69.4% of import value), Australia (8.1%), and New Zealand (7.3%) emerged as the main sources for Samoa's cocoa powder and cake imports by value, together comprising 84.7% of total import flows.

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

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