Cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste market in South-eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for cocoa shells, husks, skins, and other cocoa waste in South-eastern Asia experienced fluctuating volumes with an overall upward trend from 2018 to 2023. Market size grew from 228.6 thousand tons in 2018 to 263.5 thousand tons in 2023, peaking at 252.9 thousand tons in 2021 after a slight dip in 2020.

By 2024, broader industry trends began shaping the market landscape. A sharp global cocoa price surge, driven by supply deficits from weather extremes in West Africa, impacted the entire cocoa chain. Concurrently, rising demand for sustainable materials in the fashion and beauty sectors increased the utilization of cocoa waste as a raw material for cosmetics and biodegradable packaging. Initiatives in countries like Vietnam promoted circular economy principles, aiming to transform cocoa production into a zero-waste system, which supported the market for by-products.

Production cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste in South-eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K 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

After two consecutive years of growth, production of cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste in South-eastern Asia experienced a decline. In 2020, the region produced 234.8 thousand tonnes, marking a slight decrease of 1.6% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 23%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.1%. The peak was reached in 2019 at 238.6 thousand tonnes, while the most significant annual increase occurred in 2018 at 19.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste from South-eastern Asia

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed notable volatility during the observed period. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 2,707 tonnes, while the highest was in 2020 at 4,807 tonnes, representing a dramatic 77.6% increase year-over-year. The peak-to-trough ratio between these years was 1.8 times. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 37.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the leading buyers of cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste from South-eastern Asia were South Korea (7.5% of exports in kind), Brazil (3.2%), and China (2.1%). Together, these three countries accounted for 12.7% of total exports in kind.

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

World map of product's exports from South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Following two years of decline, South-eastern Asia's exports of cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste in value terms rebounded in 2020, reaching 1,966 thousand US dollars. This represented a 14.2% increase compared to the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 37.3%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 14.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1,721 thousand US dollars, while the most significant drop occurred in 2018 at 28.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, South Korea (4.6% of exports in value terms), the United States (2.4%), and Brazil (1.9%) were notable but not dominant buyers of cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste from South-eastern Asia. Their combined share accounted for only 8.9% of total exports in value terms.

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

World map of product's exports from South-eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020

Imports cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste to South-eastern Asia

Imports in kind, t

Imports of cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste into South-eastern Asia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume stood at 3,876 tonnes, showing a robust decrease of 19.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 26.1%, with an average annual decline of 9.6%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 5,585 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 6.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for imports in kind were Ghana (14.0% of imports in kind), Côte d'Ivoire (4.3%), and Cameroon (2.8%). Collectively, these three countries represented 21.1% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to South-eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

South-eastern Asia's imports of cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste in value terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to an unspecified value in thousand US dollars, showing an abrupt decrease of 35.2% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 46.2%, equating to an average annual decline of 18.7%.

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

The structure of imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 indicates a diversified set of trading partners. Ghana (32.2% of imports in value terms), Côte d'Ivoire (8.0%), and Cameroon (6.8%) together accounted for 47.1% of total flows, while the remaining 52.9% was distributed among numerous smaller markets.

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

World map of product's imports to South-eastern Asia in value, 2017-2020