Cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste market in India

Earlier Report Observations

The market for cocoa shells, husks, skins, and other cocoa waste in India showed notable fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. After starting at 10 614 tons in 2018, the market volume gradually declined over the next two years, reaching 9 563 tons in 2020. A modest recovery to 9 715 tons occurred in 2021, followed by a significant surge of 25% to 12 150 tons in 2022. This growth was reversed in 2023, when the market volume fell by 17% to 10 127 tons.

In 2024, import volumes of cocoa waste rose to 454 tons, a notable increase from previous years. This shift coincided with a historic global cocoa supply shortage driven by climate change and adverse weather, which caused cocoa prices to skyrocket and likely increased the attractiveness of sourcing cocoa by-products. Concurrently, innovation in upcycling, such as the development of cocoa husk cookies and ready-to-serve drinks from agricultural research, pointed to growing domestic interest in creating value-added products from this waste stream.

Production cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste in India

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, India ranked 19th globally in the production volume of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste.

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

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

India's production of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 9 570 tonnes, marking a 3.8% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 12.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.1%. The highest production was recorded in 2018 at 10 638 tonnes, which saw a 25.5% increase. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 6.5%.

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

Exports cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste from India

Exports in kind, kg

The market showed significant fluctuations during this period. Exports peaked in 2018 at 36 628 kg and hit their lowest point in 2019 at 3 600 kg, resulting in a 10.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, India's export volume of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste reached 24 476 kg, representing a 579.9% increase compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 90.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from India in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain and Japan together accounted for 82.8% of India's total exports in volume, while the remaining flows were distributed thinly across other markets.

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

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

Exports in value, $ US

The market exhibited volatility during these years. Exports reached their maximum in 2019 at 28 471 US dollars and fell to their lowest in 2017, showing a 4.6-fold amplitude. In 2020, India exported 20 942 US dollars worth of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste, indicating a 26.4% year-over-year decline. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 176.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain remained the primary destination for India's cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste, accounting for 74.3% of total exports in value terms, with other destinations being much less significant.

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

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

Imports cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste to India

Imports in kind, kg

The data reveals irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Imports peaked in 2017 and reached their lowest point in 2018, with a 4.2-fold amplitude. In 2020, India's imports of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste amounted to 17 015 kg, equivalent to a sharp decline of 76.4% compared to the previous year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to India in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Over the 2017-2020 period, Malaysia and Sri Lanka together absorbed 100.0% of India's total imports in volume of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste, indicating a high degree of concentration.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

In 2020, India imported 1 723 US dollars worth of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste, showing an 82.5% decline compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 90.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 54.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India's imports of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste were largely oriented towards Malaysia, which held a 92.6% share of total imports in value terms.

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

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