Cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste market in Peru

Earlier Report Observations

The market for cocoa shells, husks, and other cocoa waste in Peru grew from 12.8 thousand tons in 2018 to 18.4 thousand tons in 2020. This increase was directly linked to the expansion of Peru's cocoa sector, where national production reached 135,000 tons in 2018 and saw a 33.3% year-on-year jump in early 2019. Higher output of cocoa beans naturally generated more processing by-products, boosting the supply of cocoa waste.

From 2021 onward, the domestic market volume contracted, falling to 13.4 thousand tons by 2023. Two main factors contributed to this decline. First, new regulations like the EU's Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and the domestic Padrón de Productores Agrarios introduced stricter traceability and compliance requirements from 2021, potentially affecting production flows. Second, exports of cocoa waste accelerated sharply, rising from 1.3 thousand tons in 2021 to 3.6 thousand tons in 2023, diverting a larger share of production away from the local market.

In 2024, external demand for Peruvian cocoa products remained strong, with the country consolidating its position among the world's top cocoa suppliers. The European Parliament's decision to postpone the full implementation of the EUDR by one year provided temporary relief for exporters. Concurrently, local companies began developing new value-added applications for cocoa waste, such as cosmetics and nutraceuticals, supported by programs like Innovate Perú, which could open new market segments for these by-products.

Production cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste in Peru

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Peru ranked 16th globally in the production 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

Peru's production of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 18 800 tonnes, marking a 25.3% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, production rose by 68.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 19.0%.

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

Exports cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste from Peru

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant volatility during these years. Exports hit a low of 82.9 tonnes in 2018 and peaked at 542.9 tonnes in 2019, representing a 6.5-fold difference. In 2020, Peru exported 370.8 tonnes of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste, which was 31.7% lower than the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 62.4%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 554.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil dominated Peru's export structure in volume, accounting for 77.4% of total flows, with other destinations making up relatively small shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance experienced notable fluctuations over this period. The value of exports reached a low of 55.1 thousand US dollars in 2018 and a high of 137.3 thousand US dollars in 2019, showing a 2.5-fold difference. In 2020, Peru's exports of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste were recorded at 82.4 thousand US dollars, a sharp decrease of 40.0% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was in 2018, at 42.9%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 148.9%.

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

During 2017–2020, the main destinations for Peru's exports of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste in value terms were Brazil (49.6% of exports), the United States (28.1%), and Argentina (5.3%), together accounting for 83.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste to Peru

According to industry reports, Peru did not import any cocoa shells, husks, skins, or waste from 2017 to 2020.