Cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The Eastern Asian market for cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste fluctuated between 2018 and 2020, with volume falling from 14 501 tonnes to 11 508 tonnes in 2019 before a partial recovery to 12 473 tonnes in 2020. This period coincided with broader expansion in the cocoa bean market, driven by growing demand for chocolate and premium confectionery, alongside advances in supply chain traceability and the development of more resilient cocoa varieties.

Market volume then jumped sharply to 16 877 tonnes in 2021, but a downturn followed, dropping to 15 959 tonnes in 2022 and falling markedly to 10 089 tonnes in 2023. This decline was driven primarily by extreme weather and pest damage in West African cocoa-growing regions, which reduced bean harvests and consequently the supply of cocoa waste. The situation worsened in 2023 with the severe spread of cocoa swollen shoot virus disease (CSSVD), leading to the destruction of over 470 million trees and intensifying a global supply shortage that pushed cocoa prices to record highs.

In 2024, with the cocoa bean supply deficit persisting due to continued adverse weather and disease pressures, new applications for the by-product emerged. Major companies such as Lotte and Fuji Oil initiated joint trials to use cocoa shells in the production of biochar for regenerative agriculture, potentially opening a new avenue of demand for this waste material.

Production cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, 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

Eastern Asia's production of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 5,025 tonnes, marking a 30.9% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 24.9%, with an average annual decline of 9.1%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 7,447 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 11.3% that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, t

In 2019, Eastern Asia exported 36 tonnes of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste, representing a sharp decline of 27.2% from the year before.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany was the primary destination for cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste exports from Eastern Asia, accounting for 92.3% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Eastern Asia's exports of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste reached 553,000 US dollars in 2019, showing a significant increase of 24.4% compared to the previous year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany dominated the market for cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste from Eastern Asia in value terms, capturing 99.1% of total export earnings.

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

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

Imports cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes showed considerable volatility during this period. The lowest point was in 2019 at 4,275 tonnes, which marked the largest decline of 39.8%. In 2020, imports rebounded to 7,448 tonnes, a 74.2% increase from the previous year. Overall, from the peak in 2017 to the trough in 2019, import volumes varied by a factor of two.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ghana was the main source of imports for cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste into Eastern Asia, representing 78.4% of total import volumes, with the remainder coming from a diverse group of smaller countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The import market exhibited volatility over the observed years. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 392,000 US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 45.6%. In 2020, imports rose to approximately 690,000 US dollars, a 76.1% increase from the previous year. The peak-to-trough ratio from the high in 2017 to the low in 2019 was threefold.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, imports in value terms were heavily concentrated, with Ghana and Indonesia together accounting for 87.8% of total flows, while other partners made up the remaining share.

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

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