Cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste market in China

Earlier Report Observations

The market for cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste in China began the period at 11,943 t in 2018, supported by growing consumer attention to natural ingredients which boosted demand. Market volume then contracted to 10,335 t in 2019 before edging up to 10,686 t in 2020. This slight recovery in 2020 occurred alongside global supply chain tensions and rising raw material prices, which increased cost pressures for local producers.

A sharp expansion followed in 2021, with market volume reaching 14,437 t. This surge was primarily fueled by a substantial rise in imports, stimulated by policy support for green and environmentally friendly natural pigments and a shift in consumer preferences toward healthy, natural products. The market remained at a high level of 14,050 t in 2022, as emerging product segments and application areas began to enrich the market's structure.

In 2023, the market volume fell significantly to 8,158 t. This decline coincided with the strengthening of regulatory oversight on food safety and environmental protection at the policy level, which affected production and labeling requirements.

Production cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste in China

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, China ranked 23rd globally in the production of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste, placing it among the world's leading producers in this category.

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

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

China's production of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output reached 4 058 tonnes, marking a 35.8% year-on-year decrease. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 23.3%, which translates to an annualized decline of 8.4%. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 6 505 tonnes, with the largest increase of 23.0% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in China in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste from China

Market research indicates that China did not export any cocoa shells, husks, skins, or waste between 2017 and 2020.

Imports cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste to China

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, China's imports of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste totaled 6 628 tonnes, a 65.0% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 39.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.9%. The lowest point was in 2019 at 4 016 tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 26.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ghana dominated China's imports of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste in volume terms, accounting for 94.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, China's imports of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste rebounded in value. In 2020, import value reached 552.7 thousand US dollars, a 64.6% rise from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 10.7%, with a CAGR of 3.4%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 335.8 thousand US dollars, which experienced the largest decline of 21.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of imports in value terms was highly concentrated, with Ghana alone representing 93.7% of total flows.

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

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