Market research

Cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste market in Europe

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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File format: docx, xlsx

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"Europe" region includes following countries:

Albania

Andorra

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Croatia

Gibraltar

Greece

the Holy See

Italy

Malta

Montenegro

Portugal

San Marino

Serbia

Slovenia

Spain

North Macedonia

Bulgaria

Belarus

Czechia

Hungary

Moldova

Poland

Romania

Russia

Slovakia

Ukraine

Denmark

Estonia

Faroe Islands

Finland

Åland Islands

Iceland

Ireland

Latvia

Lithuania

Norway

Sweden

the United Kingdom

Isle of Man

Austria

Belgium

France

Germany

Liechtenstein

Luxembourg

Monaco

the Netherlands

Switzerland

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the European market for cocoa shells, husks, skins and other waste showed notable fluctuations in volume. After a period of relative stability around 348–349 thousand tonnes in 2018 and 2019, market size dipped to 338.8 thousand tonnes in 2020. A sharp rebound followed in 2021, with volume reaching a peak of 387.9 thousand tonnes. This growth, however, was not sustained, as the market contracted to 355.8 thousand tonnes in 2022 and further to 344.1 thousand tonnes in 2023.

In 2024, several developments pointed to evolving uses for cocoa by-products. The use of cocoa shells in dietary supplements grew by 6%, driven by their high fiber content. Simultaneously, companies increased investments in recycling cocoa waste, such as shells, into organic fertilizers, promoting circular economy practices. These shifts highlight a growing trend toward valorizing cocoa waste streams beyond traditional applications.

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 Europe
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Europe in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K 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, K 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. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Albania in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Albania by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Albania in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Albania by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Albania, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Albania by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Albania in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Albania by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Albania in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Albania by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Albania, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Albania by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Albania in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Albania by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Albania in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Albania by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Albania, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Albania by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Albania in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Albania by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Albania in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Albania by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Albania, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Albania by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
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 Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K 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 Europe, the production of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, Europe produced 342.2 thousand tonnes, which was 0.8% lower than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 6.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.1%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 348.4 thousand tonnes, marking an 8.2% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 0.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Europe in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	8.2%	(0.9%)	(0.8%)	2.1%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste from Europe

Exports in kind, t

The export market for cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste from Europe showed an unstable trend during this period. In 2019, exports reached their lowest point at 15 023 tonnes, representing a 39.2% decline from the previous year. By 2020, exports peaked at 28 495 tonnes, which was 89.7% higher than in 2019. The gap between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2019 was 1.9-fold.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	11.3%	(39.2%)	89.7%	8.7%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey and Switzerland were the main markets for Europe's exports of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste in kind, together accounting for 2.1% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

Europe's exports of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste in value terms increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 19 608 thousand US dollars, up 27.3% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 10.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 12 760 thousand US dollars, when exports fell by 28.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(28.4%)	20.7%	27.3%	3.2%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, Turkey and Switzerland together held the largest share of Europe's exports in value terms, making up 1.5% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste to Europe

Imports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Europe's imports of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste in kind increased. In 2019, imports hit their lowest point at 18 995 tonnes, down 21.8% from the previous year. By 2020, imports rose to 25 033 tonnes, a sharp increase of 31.8% compared to 2019. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 5.3%, with an average annual decline of 1.8%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(8.1%)	(21.8%)	31.8%	(1.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Europe's imports of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste in kind were distributed across many countries. The top sources—Ghana (3.8% of imports), Côte d'Ivoire (3.8%), and Switzerland (1.4%)—together accounted for only 9.0% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Europe's imports of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste in value terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 17 260 thousand US dollars, showing little change from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 17.1%, with an average annual decline of 6.1%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(16.4%)	(0.5%)	(0.4%)	(6.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

During 2017–2020, Europe's imports of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste in value terms came from many different markets. Even the largest suppliers—Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, and Cameroon—together represented only 20.2% 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 Europe in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io