Cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste market in ASEAN

Earlier Report Observations

The market for cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste in ASEAN expanded from 228.6 thousand tons in 2018 to 263.5 thousand tons in 2023, influenced by state-owned companies in major cocoa-producing countries and driven by a broader industry shift toward valorizing cocoa by-products. This growth was primarily fueled by rising sustainability goals and the circular economy model, which spurred interest in upcycling waste into functional foods, beverages, and other value-added applications. The emergence of new product segments, such as fiber-rich bakery items and nutraceuticals, began to create additional demand from 2019 onward.

Market volume experienced fluctuations during the period. A notable increase in 2019 coincided with growing investment in upcycling technologies and the launch of new product lines utilizing cocoa shells. The slight contraction in 2020 was followed by a strong recovery in 2021, supported by significant research and development investments from major companies aiming to address environmental challenges and consumer health trends. Startups and established players also developed novel applications for cocoa shells, including biopolymers and biofuels. In 2022, regulatory and policy shifts in key ASEAN cocoa-producing countries, focusing on sustainable sourcing and traceability, likely contributed to a temporary market adjustment. The market then reached a new peak in 2023, fueled by sustainability and functional ingredient initiatives from global players like Nestlé and Hershey, which integrated upcycled cocoa husk into product development for beverages and fiber-rich snacks.

Production cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste in ASEAN

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste, 2017-2020

World map of production of cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste, 2017-2020

ASEAN's production of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste declined after two years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 238.6 thousand tonnes, but by 2020, it had fallen to 234.8 thousand tonnes, marking a 1.6% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 23%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.1%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when production surged by 19.0%.

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

Exports cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste from ASEAN

Exports in kind, t

The export market for cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste from ASEAN showed significant volatility during these years. In 2019, exports hit their lowest point at 2 707 tonnes, but they rebounded sharply in 2020 to 4 807 tonnes, representing a 77.6% year-over-year increase. Overall, exports fluctuated by 1.8 times between these two years. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, with a drop of 37.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste from ASEAN were South Korea, Brazil, and China. South Korea accounted for 7.5% of exports in kind, Brazil for 3.2%, and China for 2.1%. Together, these three countries represented 12.7% of total exports in kind during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, the value of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste exports from ASEAN increased. In 2019, exports reached their minimum at 1 721 thousand US dollars, but by 2020, they had risen to 1 966 thousand US dollars, showing a strong improvement of 14.2% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 37.3%, with an annualized rate of decline of 14.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 28.6%.

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

The structure of exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was diversified, with no single country holding a clearly dominant position. South Korea accounted for 4.6% of exports in value terms, the United States for 2.4%, and Brazil for 1.9%. Combined, these three countries represented just 8.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste to ASEAN

Imports in kind, t

ASEAN's imports of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste declined for the second consecutive year. In 2018, imports peaked at 5 585 tonnes, but by 2020, they had fallen to 3 876 tonnes, a decrease of 19.7% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 26.1%, with an average annual decline of 9.6%. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, with a rise of 6.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for ASEAN's imports of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste in kind were Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, and Cameroon. Ghana accounted for 14.0% of imports in kind, Côte d'Ivoire for 4.3%, and Cameroon for 2.8%. Together, these three countries made up 21.1% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

ASEAN's imports of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste in value terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 2 600 thousand US dollars, representing a steep fall of 35.2% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 46.2%, with an annualized rate of decline of 18.7%.

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

The structure of imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was diversified, with no single country holding a clearly dominant position. Ghana accounted for 32.2% of imports in value terms, Côte d'Ivoire for 8.0%, and Cameroon for 6.8%. Combined, these three countries represented 47.1% of total import flows.

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

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