Cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste market in the Netherlands

Earlier Report Observations

The Dutch market for cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste experienced significant volume movements between 2018 and 2023. Following a dip to 91.7 thousand tons in 2019, consumption rebounded strongly to 107.8 thousand tons in 2020 and surged to 140.3 thousand tons in 2021.

This growth reversed in the subsequent two years, with the market size declining to 124.3 thousand tons in 2022 and 117.9 thousand tons in 2023.

In the lead-up to 2025, regulatory and sustainability factors began shaping the market landscape. The European Union's Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), effective January 2025, required importers to ensure cocoa was not linked to deforestation, introducing new compliance costs and potential supply chain volatility. Concurrently, the industry's push toward zero-waste production boosted the reuse of cocoa shells for applications like organic fertilizer, elevating demand for this by-product. These developments, coupled with historically high cocoa prices and tighter organic labeling standards, underscored a shift toward traceability and circular economy practices in the Netherlands.

Production cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste in the Netherlands

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, the Netherlands ranked as the world's second-largest producer of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste.

Top producers of cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste, 2018-2021

World map of production of cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste, 2018-2021

The Netherlands saw its production of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste rise for the second year in a row. In 2021, output reached 151.0 K t, marking a strong increase of 23.0% over the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, production grew by 20%, which translates to an annualized rate of 6.3%. The lowest production level was in 2019 at 117.5 K t, with the largest decline that year at 6.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Following a two-year decline, the Netherlands experienced an uptick in the production value of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste. In 2021, the output was valued at 24 696 K $ US, showing a sharp rise of 30.1% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production value increased by 27.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.5%. The minimum value occurred in 2020 at 18 978 K $ US, while the largest drop was in 2019 at 1.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Exports cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste from the Netherlands

Exports in kind, t

The Netherlands' export volume of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste fell for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports totaled 24 950 t, a decrease of 34.7% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports dropped by 32.4%, equating to an annualized decline of 12.2%. The peak was in 2019 at 39 412 t, with the largest increase that year at 6.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Belgium, France, and Germany were the primary markets for exports in kind, accounting for 39.4%, 23.1%, and 22.4% of exports, respectively. Together, they made up 84.9% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Export value of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste from the Netherlands declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, exports amounted to 4 081 K $ US, down by 30.9% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, export value decreased by 28%, with a compound annual growth rate of -10.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 6 391 K $ US, with the largest increase that year at 12.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Belgium, France, and Germany led as the top buyers in value terms, with shares of 31.7%, 26.4%, and 18.8%, respectively. Their combined share reached 76.8% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021

Imports cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste to the Netherlands

Imports in kind, t

The import market displayed volatility during the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 3.1-fold difference between these years. In 2021, the Netherlands imported 14 250 t, which was 38.7% lower than in 2020. The maximum volume was in 2020 at 23 251 t, and the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 79.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Germany, Côte d'Ivoire, and Ghana were the key sources for imports in kind, representing 54.6%, 16.9%, and 15.8% of imports, respectively. Together, they accounted for 87.3% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2021, the Netherlands imported 7 626 K $ US of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste, a 23.8% increase from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, import value rose by 77.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 21.1%. The largest decline was in 2020 at 14.9%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 68.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

During 2018-2021, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, and Germany were the main destinations for imports in value terms, with shares of 35.5%, 25.7%, and 23.0%, respectively. Collectively, they made up 84.2% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021