Market research

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

Release date: Mar 30, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Southern Europe" region includes following countries:

Albania

Andorra

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Croatia

Gibraltar

Greece

the Holy See

Italy

Malta

Montenegro

Portugal

San Marino

Serbia

Slovenia

Spain

North Macedonia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the market volume for cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste in Southern Europe gradually declined from 48,023 t to 44,184 t, with a noticeable drop in 2019 and 2020 before a partial recovery.

A rising focus on circular economy models drove increased production and reuse of cocoa shell fiber for functional ingredients from 2020 onward. This shift, supported by growing consumer and corporate demand for sustainable, deforestation-free cocoa products, helped stabilize domestic production and contributed to the market's rebound in 2021.

The latter part of the period saw market volumes fluctuate moderately. By 2024, the industry was adjusting to historic highs in international cocoa prices caused by adverse weather in West Africa, while sustained investment in research and development opened new avenues for valorizing waste into bioplastics, cosmetics, and nutraceuticals.

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

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 two years of decline, cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste production in Southern Europe saw an increase. In 2020, production reached 40 867 tonnes, marking a 1.2% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, overall production decreased by 11.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 40 400 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 with a 10.7% drop.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(10.7%)	(2.4%)	1.2%	(4.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste production in Southern Europe declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 6 185 thousand US dollars, down by 9.3% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 25.8%, translating to an annualized rate of 9.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 9 546 thousand US dollars. The largest decline took place in 2019 with a 28.6% decrease, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 14.5% rise.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	14.5%	(28.6%)	(9.3%)	(9.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

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

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Southern Europe exported 1 775 tonnes of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste, representing a sharp decline of 45.6% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 54.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 23.3%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 46.1%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 53.8% rise.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(46.1%)	53.8%	(45.6%)	(23.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical pattern of exports in kind showed a strong reliance on France, which accounted for 96.6% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste deliveries from Southern Europe amounted to 269 thousand US dollars, reflecting a fall of 51.2% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 62%, with a compound annual growth rate of 27.5%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 with a 12.6% rise.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(30.8%)	12.6%	(51.2%)	(27.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, the structure of exports in value terms was characterized by the dominance of France, which absorbed 73.1% of total flows, alongside a large number of minor partners.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Imports in kind, t

Southern Europe's volume of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste imports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 2 912 tonnes, down by 56.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 79.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 41.2%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(38.8%)	(24.1%)	(56.1%)	(41.2%)

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017-2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and Austria formed the core of imports in kind, accounting for 54.8%, 15.2%, and 10.4% of imports, respectively. Together, they represented 80.4% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Southern Europe's volume of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste imports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 437 thousand US dollars, showing an 83.6% decrease over the past year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 95.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 63.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(53.4%)	(38.2%)	(83.6%)	(63.9%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany remained the main suppliers of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste to Southern Europe in value terms, accounting for 37.5%, 24.5%, and 20.5% of imports, respectively. Collectively, they formed 82.6% of total imports in value terms.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io