Cocoa powder and cake market in the United Kingdom

Earlier Report Observations

The UK market for cocoa powder and cake contracted significantly between 2018 and 2023, with total volume falling from 70 957 t to 43 095 t. Production declined by more than half over the period, from 54 165 t to 25 219 t, while exports also dropped sharply. Imports showed greater volatility but generally trended downward, contributing to the overall market shrinkage.

Price pressures from global supply shortages and climate-related disruptions in key cocoa-growing regions began affecting the market by 2022, making cocoa products more expensive and dampening consumption. The cost-of-living crisis further constrained household spending on non-essential food items in the following years, sustaining the downward pressure on market volume.

Production cocoa powder and cake in the United Kingdom

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, the United Kingdom ranked 14th globally in cocoa powder and cake production.

Top producers of cocoa powder and cake, 2018-2021

World map of production of cocoa powder and cake, 2018-2021

The United Kingdom's cocoa powder and cake production declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, production reached 35 042 tonnes, marking a sharp year-on-year decrease of 29.5%. Over the 2018-2021 period, production fell by 35.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -13.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021, t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

The United Kingdom's cocoa powder and cake production value also declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, output was valued at 95.2 million US dollars, representing a 21.8% decrease compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, production value dropped by 37.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -14.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports cocoa powder and cake from the United Kingdom

Exports in kind, t

The United Kingdom's cocoa powder and cake exports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports amounted to 2 950 tonnes, showing a significant 19.0% decrease from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports fell by 56.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -24.1%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 6 917 tonnes, which saw a modest 2.7% increase from the previous year. In 2020, exports experienced the largest decline of 47.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Spain, Ireland, and Poland were the leading destinations for the United Kingdom's cocoa powder and cake exports in volume terms. Spain accounted for 47.7% of exports, Ireland for 15.0%, and Poland for 7.2%. Together, these three countries represented 69.9% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

The United Kingdom's cocoa powder and cake export value declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports reached 8 014 thousand US dollars, reflecting a solid 10.1% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value dropped by 57.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -25.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In value terms from 2018 to 2021, Ireland, Spain, and Poland were notable buyers of cocoa powder and cake from the United Kingdom. Ireland accounted for 23.1% of export value, Spain for 16.5%, and Poland for 9.5%. Their combined share reached 49.1% of total export value, indicating they were significant but not dominant partners.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021

Imports cocoa powder and cake to the United Kingdom

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year contraction, the United Kingdom's cocoa powder and cake imports increased in 2021. Imports reached 18 871 tonnes, up 12.8% from 2020. However, over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 19.8%, equating to an annualized rate of -7.1%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 16 729 tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 23.2% from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain were the main suppliers of cocoa powder and cake to the United Kingdom in volume terms. Germany accounted for 34.9% of imports, the Netherlands for 33.1%, and Spain for 11.4%. Together, these three countries comprised 79.4% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year decline, the United Kingdom's cocoa powder and cake import value increased in 2021. Imports totalled 61 073 thousand US dollars, indicating a dramatic 29.7% rise relative to the prior year. Over the 2018-2021 period, import value grew by 6.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.1%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2020 at 47 072 thousand US dollars, which saw a 17.5% decrease from the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain formed the key group of partners for the United Kingdom's cocoa powder and cake imports in value terms. Germany accounted for 33.4% of import value, the Netherlands for 31.7%, and Spain for 10.1%. Jointly, they represented 75.3% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021