Cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste market in Switzerland

Earlier Report Observations

The Swiss market for cocoa shells, husks, skins and other cocoa waste grew substantially from 7 544 t in 2018 to 11 634 t in 2023. This expansion accelerated in 2019, stabilized slightly in 2020, and continued its climb through 2023, reflecting increased overall activity in cocoa processing.

In 2024, the global context for cocoa shifted dramatically. Poor harvests in West Africa, particularly in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana, led to a historic surge in world cocoa prices. This price volatility and supply tension directly impacted Switzerland's cocoa bean imports, which are central to its chocolate industry, thereby influencing the associated streams of cocoa by-products and waste.

Production cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste in Switzerland

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Switzerland maintained the 20th position globally in terms of production volume for 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

Following two years of growth, Switzerland's production of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste declined. In 2020, the country produced 9 699 tonnes, marking a 0.7% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 14%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 4.5%. The peak was reached in 2019 at 9 763 tonnes, with the largest annual increase of 9.7% also occurring that year.

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

Exports cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste from Switzerland

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant fluctuations during this period. Exports dropped to a low of 341 tonnes in 2019 and peaked at 1 765 tonnes in 2018, resulting in a 5.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Switzerland exported 488 tonnes, reflecting a 43.0% increase compared to 2019. The largest decline of 80.7% was recorded in 2019, while the largest increase of 63.3% occurred in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Austria and Germany were the primary destinations for Switzerland's exports in kind, together accounting for 82.2% of total flows. Other partners individually played a much smaller role.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data indicates irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Export values fell to a minimum of 18.7 thousand US dollars in 2019 and rose to a maximum of 144.3 thousand US dollars in 2018, representing a 7.7-fold shift. In 2020, the value of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste leaving Switzerland totaled 67.2 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp increase of 260.5% from the previous year. The largest decline of 87.1% was recorded in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Austria, and France were the main destinations for Switzerland's exports in value terms, with shares of 38.7%, 24.0%, and 16.6%, respectively. Together, these three countries accounted for 79.3% of total export flows in this category.

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

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

Imports cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste to Switzerland

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Switzerland imported 515 tonnes of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste, representing a 5.2% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 10.8%, equivalent to a compound annual growth rate of 3.5%. The lowest volume was 410 tonnes in 2018, while the highest was 544 tonnes in 2019. The largest decline of 11.9% occurred in 2018, and the largest increase of 32.7% was recorded in 2019.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Germany dominated Switzerland's imports in kind, holding an 81.6% share of total flows. Other markets collectively accounted for the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of gains, Switzerland's imports of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste declined. In 2020, imports were recorded at 106.1 thousand US dollars, indicating a 5.0% year-over-year decrease. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 37.9%, which equates to an annualized rate of 11.3%. The peak value was 111.7 thousand US dollars in 2019, with the largest increase of 42.3% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany was the key supplier of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste to Switzerland in value terms, accounting for 86.2% of total imports. A diverse group of other countries made up the rest.

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

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