Cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

After starting at 13 129 t in 2018, the market for cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste in Eastern Europe contracted to 10 026 t in 2019. This decline was primarily driven by a sharp increase in exports, influenced by global cocoa bean price fluctuations that made overseas shipments more attractive. In 2020, market volume stabilized around 10 078 t as rising cocoa raw material costs pressured both import and export flows.

The market rebounded sharply to 13 503 t in 2021, fueled by continued cocoa price increases which prompted manufacturers to seek alternative ingredients, including cocoa waste, in their formulations. However, in 2022, volume fell to 11 535 t due to tightened phytosanitary controls on imports of cocoa beans and waste, which restricted supply, alongside a broader industry shift toward cocoa butter substitutes. Recovery followed in 2023, with market size reaching 14 013 t as domestic demand revived and record-high global cocoa prices, caused by supply shortages, enhanced the economic appeal of cocoa waste.

In 2024, although full market size data is not available, trade patterns show imports of 3 240 t and exports of 3 886 t. The market continued to face unprecedented cocoa bean price surges, which doubled costs, prompting further recipe adjustments, increased use of substitutes, and stricter phytosanitary requirements for imports. Consumer preferences also shifted toward confectionery without cocoa or added sweeteners.

Production cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste in Eastern Europe (including Northern 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

Cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined after two years of growth. In 2020, production reached 10 924 tonnes, marking a 3.6% decrease from 2019. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 11 332 tonnes. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 33.3%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 10.1%. The most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 34.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) reached 2 421 tonnes in 2020, a 29.4% drop from the previous year. The lowest point was in 2018 at 277 tonnes, while the peak was in 2019 at 3 432 tonnes, resulting in a 12.4-fold variation between these two years. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, with a surge of 1 139.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were Turkey, Serbia, and Uzbekistan. Turkey accounted for 64.2% of exports in kind, Serbia for 5.5%, and Uzbekistan for 0.7%. Together, these three countries represented 70.4% of total exports in kind.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports in value terms from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) amounted to 504 thousand US dollars in 2020, showing a slight contraction of 1.9% compared to the year before. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 226 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2019 at 514 thousand US dollars, indicating a 2.3-fold fluctuation. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 15.1%, and the largest increase was in 2019, with a rise of 127.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, exports in value terms of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) were widely dispersed across partner countries. Turkey accounted for 31.4% of exports in value terms, Serbia for 8.3%, and Iran for 6.2%. Together, these three countries represented only 45.9% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, t

Cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 1 575 tonnes, reflecting a sharp drop of 25.9% from the prior year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 61.3%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 27.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Austria, and Ghana were consistently the main sources for imports in kind. Germany accounted for 44.7% of imports in kind, Austria for 10.2%, and Ghana for 8.0%. Together, these three countries made up 63.0% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) fell for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports were valued at 338 thousand US dollars, indicating a sharp decline of 26.1% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 71.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -34.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Germany, Ghana, and Spain remained the key partners for imports in value terms. Germany accounted for 37.6% of imports in value terms, Ghana for 10.9%, and Spain for 7.2%. Together, these three countries represented 55.6% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020