Market research

Cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste market in MERCOSUR

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

Report language:

Report language:

Submission method: to your account

File format: docx, xlsx

Single Report

$500

Instant access to detailed data on one specific market
Ideal for one-off tasks: niche assessments, presentations, investment decisions
Available in Excel and Word in 15 minutes after purchase
Cheaper than subscription, but each market requires a separate purchase

Best if you know exactly what you need

Buy a single report

Platform Subscription

from$600

Complete and unlimited data access across products and regions
Includes continuous data updates during subscription period
Download reports instantly in Word, and Excel formats
More cost-effective for multiple markets or regular analysis

Ideal for regular data users

View pricing plans

"MERCOSUR" region includes following countries:

Brazil

Argentina

Uruguay

Paraguay

Earlier Report Observations

The market for cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste in MERCOSUR grew steadily from 2018 to 2021, with production increasing from 50 941 tonnes to 61 189 tonnes. This expansion was supported by a rising focus on valorizing cocoa residues as raw materials for agri-food products and bioplastics, driving circular economy practices and boosting demand for these by-products.

After reaching a peak in 2021, both production and market volume experienced a contraction in 2022, falling to 52 834 tonnes and 59 986 tonnes respectively. The market recovered in 2023, with production climbing to 57 414 tonnes amid preparations for the European Union's deforestation-free regulation (EUDR) and broader sustainability certification efforts, which incentivized more efficient utilization of cocoa waste within the supply chain.

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 MERCOSUR
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in MERCOSUR in kind, 2018-2023, t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, 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, 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 Brazil in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Brazil 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 Brazil in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Brazil 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/kg
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Brazil, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Brazil by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
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 Brazil in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Brazil 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 Brazil in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Brazil 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/kg
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Brazil, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Brazil by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
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 Brazil in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Brazil 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 Brazil in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Brazil 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/kg
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Brazil, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Brazil by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
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 Brazil in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Brazil 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 Brazil in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Brazil 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/kg
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Brazil, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Brazil by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/kg
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 MERCOSUR

In kind, 2017-2020, 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

After increasing for two consecutive years, MERCOSUR's production of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste declined. In 2020, production reached 53 394 tonnes, showing minimal change compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 6.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.2%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 53 474 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 5.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	1.8%	5.0%	(0.1%)	2.2%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste from MERCOSUR

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed significant volatility during this period. The lowest point occurred in 2019 with 10 tonnes, while the peak was in 2017, creating a 25-fold difference between these years. In 2020, MERCOSUR exported 22 tonnes of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste, representing a substantial 122.7% increase compared to 2019. The most significant decline was recorded in 2019 at 86.8%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(69.6%)	(86.8%)	122.7%	(55.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands and Switzerland consistently served as the primary export markets for cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste, together accounting for 66.6% of total export volumes.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

Following two years of decline, MERCOSUR's export value of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste increased. In 2020, exports totaled 131 thousand US dollars, representing an 8.9% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 33.3%, with an average annual decline of 12.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 120 thousand US dollars, while the most significant drop occurred in 2018 with a 38.7% decrease.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(38.7%)	(0.2%)	8.9%	(12.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017-2020, the export value structure was dominated by the Netherlands and Switzerland, which together accounted for 87.3% of total export value.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste to MERCOSUR

Imports in kind, t

MERCOSUR's import volume of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 4 623 tonnes, showing a sharp 49.6% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import volume grew by 192.5%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 43.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	33.6%	46.3%	49.6%	43.0%

Source: SHEV.io

During 2017-2020, three main markets—Ghana, Peru, and Indonesia—together accounted for 82.4% of total import volumes of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste to MERCOSUR.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

MERCOSUR's import value of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 1 091 thousand US dollars, marking a 41.3% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 78.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 21.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 594 thousand US dollars, which also saw a modest decline of 2.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(2.7%)	30.1%	41.3%	21.4%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—Ghana, Ecuador, and Peru—together accounted for 80.8% of total import value of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste to MERCOSUR.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io