Cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste market in Australia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, the Australian market for cocoa shells, husks, skins and other cocoa waste contracted significantly, with total market volume falling from 119.3 t to 87.7 t. Domestic production followed a similar downward trend, declining from 118.8 t to 89.2 t over the same period, while both imports and exports also decreased.

A slight stabilization occurred in 2023, as market volume edged up to 88.0 t and production increased to 91.0 t. This period coincided with Australian cocoa farms adopting more environmentally sustainable practices like organic farming and agroforestry. Major manufacturers, including Nestlé and Mars Australia, implemented significant sustainability programs, such as the Cocoa Plan and Fairtrade certification initiatives, responding to growing consumer demand for transparency and ethically sourced products. Advances in food preservation technologies and a national target to halve food waste by 2030 further shaped industry approaches to reducing waste.

Subsequent developments were influenced by broader market forces. A global cocoa shortage in the 2023/24 season, with production falling 14.2%, affected raw material sourcing and availability. Concurrently, the upcycling of cocoa by-products like shells and pulp gained traction for use in functional foods and beverages, supporting zero-waste goals. In 2025, the launch of new locally produced chocolate products and the expansion of cocoa applications into skincare and supplements pointed to evolving uses for cocoa materials, emphasizing sustainability and value addition.

Production cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste in Australia

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste, 2018-2021

World map of production of cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste, 2018-2021

Australia's production of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste has declined for the third year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 95.4 tonnes, marking a 1.8% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 19.7%, which translates to an average annual decline of 7.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Australia in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste from Australia

Exports in kind, kg

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports hit their lowest point in 2019 at 172 kg and peaked in 2020 at 5 361 kg, representing a 31-fold difference between these years. In 2021, exports from Australia totaled 4 449 kg, reflecting a significant drop of 17.0% compared to 2020. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 96.1%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2020, surging by 3 022.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia in kind, 2018-2021, kg

From 2018 to 2021, Japan and New Zealand dominated the export rankings in kind, together accounting for 100.0% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Australia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 3 687 US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2021 at 44 093 US dollars, showing a 12-fold fluctuation over this period. In 2021, deliveries from Australia amounted to 44 093 US dollars, representing a substantial increase of 12.5% from the prior year. The largest decline was in 2019, dropping by 86.7%, and the largest increase was in 2020, rising by 963.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Australia in value, 2018-2021, $ US

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Japan and New Zealand were the primary destinations for exports in value terms, jointly making up 100.0% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Australia in value, 2018-2021

Imports cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste to Australia

Imports in kind, kg

Australia's imports of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the country imported 1 200 kg, down by 48.6% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 75.8%, which equates to an average annual decline of 37.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia in kind, 2018-2021, kg

From 2018 to 2021, New Zealand (44.0% of imports in kind), the Netherlands (16.6% of imports in kind), and Egypt (14.2% of imports in kind) formed the key group of partners for imports in kind to Australia, collectively representing 74.8% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Australia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, $ US

Cross-border shipments of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste to Australia have fallen for the third year in a row. In 2021, imports totaled 13 712 US dollars, indicating a steep drop of 31.7% year-on-year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 66.3%, translating to an average annual decline of 30.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Australia in value, 2018-2021, $ US

In 2018 to 2021, New Zealand and the Netherlands were the main destinations for imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 81.3% of total flows, while other partners were individually much less significant.

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

World map of product's imports to Australia in value, 2018-2021