Cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste market in Northern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the Northern European market for cocoa shells, husks, skins and other cocoa waste more than halved, falling from 30,559 t to 14,254 t. This decline began with a sharp drop in 2019, followed by a temporary recovery in 2020. That year, the COVID-19 pandemic created significant uncertainty, disrupting supply chains for cocoa, coffee and tea sectors by affecting labor conditions and availability, which contributed to fluctuations in market volume.

After the 2020 rebound, the market resumed its downward trend, hitting a low of 14,604 t in 2022 before stabilizing near 14,250 t in 2023. During this period, the market began to feel the impact of global cocoa supply issues. Extreme weather in West Africa, cocoa tree diseases, and market speculation drove up cocoa prices and created raw material shortages, affecting the production and availability of cocoa by-products.

In 2024, extreme weather and diseases in key cocoa-growing regions continued to pressure global supplies and prices. Simultaneously, new producer responsibility legislation for packaging took effect in Denmark on 1 August 2024, altering market access conditions for importers of cocoa products. Growing consumer preference for sustainable and bio-based products in Northern Europe also supports potential new uses for cocoa waste.

Production cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste in Northern Europe

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

In Northern Europe, production of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste reached 23 675 tonnes in 2020, marking a robust year-on-year increase of 11.8%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 9.1%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 3.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 21 184 tonnes, with the largest decline of 9.9% occurring that same year.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Following a two-year decline, production of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste in Northern Europe rebounded in 2020. The output was valued at 6 799 thousand US dollars, representing a 15.2% increase compared to the previous year. However, over the broader 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 30%, with a compound annual growth rate of -11.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 5 904 thousand US dollars, accompanied by the largest decline of 26.3% that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern Europe in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste from Northern Europe

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited significant volatility during these years. Export volumes from Northern Europe varied considerably, with the lowest point in 2018 at 554 tonnes and the highest in 2020 at 1 063 tonnes, representing a 1.9-fold difference. In 2020, exports reached 1 063 tonnes, showing a modest increase of 9.4% from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 22.2%, while the most substantial increase was recorded in 2019 with a 75.5% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Ukraine, and Brazil emerged as the primary markets for Northern Europe's exports of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste in kind. The Netherlands accounted for 47.5% of exports, Ukraine for 18.2%, and Brazil for 12.2%. Together, these three countries represented 78.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Northern Europe's exports of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste increased for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 305 thousand US dollars, which is 12.7% higher than in 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 4.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 189 thousand US dollars, when the largest decline of 40.7% occurred. The most significant increase took place in 2019 with a 43.5% rise.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the Netherlands, Russia, and Ukraine formed the key group of trading partners for Northern Europe's exports of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 37.1% of export value, Russia for 10.8%, and Ukraine for 10.0%. Collectively, these three countries represented 58.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste to Northern Europe

Imports in kind, t

The market demonstrated notable volatility during this period. Import volumes into Northern Europe fluctuated significantly, with the lowest point in 2019 at 1 441 tonnes and the peak in 2018 at 7 599 tonnes, representing a 5.3-fold difference. In 2020, imports stood at 3 512 tonnes, showing a sharp increase of 143.8% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with an 81.0% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands dominated Northern Europe's imports of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste in kind, consistently accounting for 77.2% of total imports. This indicates a high concentration on this single market, with the remaining share distributed among other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Import values into Northern Europe varied considerably, with the lowest point in 2019 at 738 thousand US dollars and the peak in 2020 at 2 847 thousand US dollars, representing a 3.9-fold difference. In 2020, import value amounted to 2 847 thousand US dollars, marking a substantial increase of 285.8% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 with a 50.7% decrease.

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

During 2017-2020, the Netherlands, Germany, and Côte d'Ivoire formed the main group of sources for Northern Europe's imports of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 40.9% of import value, Germany for 29.4%, and Côte d'Ivoire for 7.5%. Together, these three countries represented 77.9% of total import flows.

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

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