Cocoa powder and cake market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The cocoa powder and cake market in Western Europe expanded from 297 thousand tons in 2018 to 396 thousand tons in 2022, with market value rising from 835 million USD to 1 457 million USD over the same period. This growth was followed by a sharp contraction in 2023, with volume dropping to 286 thousand tons and value to 1 258 million USD.

Rising consumer preference for premium chocolate and organic cocoa supported market expansion, with organic consumption in Europe increasing by 31% between 2021 and 2024. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted supply chains but did not reverse the upward trend, as demand for cocoa products remained robust.

The market decline in 2023 was primarily caused by a supply crisis in cocoa beans. Poor harvests in West Africa due to climate change, El Niño, and crop diseases reduced yields by an estimated 30%, driving cocoa prices to record highs and limiting raw material availability for European processors.

Production cocoa powder and cake in Western Europe

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, Western Europe produced 603.5 thousand tons of cocoa powder and cake, remaining nearly unchanged from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 0.4%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019, at 0.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output of cocoa powder and cake in Western Europe was valued at 1 772 million US dollars, marking a slight decrease of 0.6% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 4.8%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.6%. The minimum value was observed in 2018 at 1 450 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 22.1%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019, at 22.9%.

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

Exports cocoa powder and cake from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, cocoa powder and cake exports from Western Europe totaled 414.4 thousand tons, showing a modest year-over-year increase of 4.8%. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 7%, translating to an annualized rate of 2.3%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 484.8 thousand tons, which also experienced the largest increase of 25.2%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 18.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, cocoa powder and cake exports from Western Europe were distributed across numerous countries. The United States accounted for 15.7% of exports in kind, Italy for 6.4%, and Russia for 5.5%, collectively representing only 27.5% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Cross-border shipments of cocoa powder and cake from Western Europe increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 1 216 million US dollars, reflecting a modest rise of 4.2% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 2.3%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 0.8%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 164 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 2.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the partner structure for exports in value terms was balanced rather than concentrated. The United States contributed 15.9% of exports in value terms, Italy 6.6%, and Russia 4.7%, together accounting for 27.2% of total flows. Many other countries made up the remaining 72.8%.

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

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

Imports cocoa powder and cake to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Western Europe imported 168.0 thousand tons of cocoa powder and cake, indicating a sharp year-over-year increase of 26.7%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 23%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.1%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 132.7 thousand tons, which also experienced the largest decline of 25.6%. The maximum value occurred in 2018 at 178.3 thousand tons, marking the largest increase of 30.6%.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 show that imports in kind of cocoa powder and cake to Western Europe were not concentrated on a few key destinations. Côte d'Ivoire accounted for 17.7% of imports in kind, Ghana for 12.9%, and Spain for 4.8%, collectively representing only 35.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decline, cocoa powder and cake deliveries to Western Europe increased. In 2020, Western Europe imported 555 million US dollars of cocoa powder and cake, reflecting a small uptick of 2.5% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 541 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 1.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the portfolio of suppliers for cocoa powder and cake to Western Europe was broad. Côte d'Ivoire contributed 15.0% of imports in value terms, Ghana 10.7%, and Spain 4.3%, together accounting for only 30.0% of total imports in value terms. Many other countries held smaller but non-negligible shares.

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

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