Market research

Cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste market in Central America

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

Report language:

Report language:

Submission method: to your account

File format: docx, xlsx

Single Report

$500

Instant access to detailed data on one specific market
Ideal for one-off tasks: niche assessments, presentations, investment decisions
Available in Excel and Word in 15 minutes after purchase
Cheaper than subscription, but each market requires a separate purchase

Best if you know exactly what you need

Buy a single report

Platform Subscription

from$600

Complete and unlimited data access across products and regions
Includes continuous data updates during subscription period
Download reports instantly in Word, and Excel formats
More cost-effective for multiple markets or regular analysis

Ideal for regular data users

View pricing plans

"Central America" region includes following countries:

Belize

Costa Rica

El Salvador

Guatemala

Honduras

Mexico

Nicaragua

Panama

Earlier Report Observations

The market for cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste in Central America grew from 16 283 t in 2018 to 18 659 t in 2019, an increase of 14.6%. This upward trend was sharply reversed in 2020 when the market volume contracted by 55.2% to 8 365 t.

A recovery phase began in 2021, with the market expanding by 41.0% to 11 794 t and further growing to 13 725 t in 2022. The market volume then stabilized at a slightly lower level of 12 977 t in 2023.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Central America
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Central America in kind, 2018-2023, t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belize in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Belize by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belize in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Belize by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Belize, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Belize by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belize in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Belize by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belize in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Belize by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/kg
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Belize, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Belize by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belize in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Belize by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belize in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Belize by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Belize, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Belize by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belize in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Belize by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belize in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Belize by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/kg
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Belize, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Belize by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, t

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

In 2020, Central America produced 8 256 tonnes of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste, marking a significant 55.4% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 49.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 20.6%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 18 508 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 14.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Central America in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(2.2%)	14.7%	(55.4%)	(20.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste from Central America

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited notable volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a fivefold difference between these two years. In 2020, Central America exported 121.2 tonnes of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste, representing a sharp 45.9% decline from the previous year. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 224.1 tonnes, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 with a substantial 277.8% rise.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	277.8%	31.5%	(45.9%)	39.0%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Uruguay and the United States were the leading buyers of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste from Central America, jointly accounting for 26.7% of total exports in kind.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Export volumes hit their lowest in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with the peak being 2.9 times higher than the trough. In 2020, foreign supplies of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste from Central America totaled 84.8 thousand US dollars, down by 64.7% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 240.3 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 106.1%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	42.4%	106.1%	(64.7%)	1.2%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, Belgium, the United States, and Uruguay led as the top buyers of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste from Central America in value terms. Belgium accounted for 15.6% of exports, the United States for 14.8%, and Uruguay for 13.2%, with their combined share reaching 43.5% of total export value.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste to Central America

Imports in kind, t

The market demonstrated volatility over the observed period. Import volumes were at their minimum in 2017 and reached their maximum in 2019, showing a 5.5-fold increase between these years. In 2020, Central America imported 230.8 tonnes of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste, which was 38.5% lower than in 2019. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 375.2 tonnes, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 with a 370.0% rise.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	370.0%	16.1%	(38.5%)	49.7%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, imports of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste to Central America were predominantly sourced from Ecuador, which held a 99.4% share of total imports in kind.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

The market displayed signs of volatility during this time frame. Imports were at their lowest in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with the peak value being 11.3 times higher than the trough. In 2020, Central America imported 126.0 thousand US dollars worth of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste, corresponding to a 61.7% decrease from the previous year. The maximum import value was recorded in 2019 at 328.8 thousand US dollars, and the largest annual increase was in 2018 with a 682.3% surge.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	682.3%	44.9%	(61.7%)	63.2%

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Ecuador dominated the geographical structure of imports in value terms for cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste to Central America, accounting for 99.0% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io