Cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste market in the United Kingdom

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the UK market for cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste shifted towards higher-value applications, with manufacturers exploring novel uses such as cocoa shell flour for bakery products and bioactive compounds for pharmaceuticals. This valorization trend, driven by waste minimization and circular economy initiatives, helped sustain market activity even as the overall volume fell from 29.6 thousand tons to 21.2 thousand tons. During this period, export demand for UK cocoa waste grew by nearly 18%, reflecting stronger international interest despite the domestic market contraction.

Market volume temporarily recovered to 24.6 thousand tons in 2020 before declining steadily to 11.9 thousand tons by 2023. The drop in volume contrasted with a notable increase in export value, which rose by GBP 50 thousand in 2023, indicating higher prices or greater value extraction from cocoa waste streams.

In 2024 and 2025, regulatory changes set a new framework for the sector. The UK introduced mandatory food waste separation for businesses effective from March 31, 2025, affecting cocoa processing residues, alongside Extended Producer Responsibility rules for packaging and due diligence requirements for forest-risk commodities like cocoa, all aimed at promoting sustainable practices.

Production cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste in the United Kingdom

In kind, 2018-2021, t

On a global scale, the United Kingdom ranked as the 11th largest producer of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste from 2018 to 2021.

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

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

In 2021, the United Kingdom produced 15 907 tonnes of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste, marking a 31.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 29.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -11.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2020 at 23 243 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 14.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste from the United Kingdom

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed significant volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2021 and peaked in 2020, with a sixfold difference between these years. In 2021, the United Kingdom exported 71 tonnes of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste, representing an 83.4% decline from the previous year. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2020 at 427 tonnes, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 132.4%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the Netherlands dominated the exports of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste from the United Kingdom, accounting for 98.3% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Export values hit their lowest point in 2021 and peaked in 2020, with a 4.1-fold amplitude. In 2021, the United Kingdom exported $27,000 worth of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste, down by 75.9% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2020 at $113,000, which also saw the largest annual increase of 29.1%.

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

Throughout 2018 to 2021, the Netherlands played the leading role in exports in value terms, holding a 76.3% share of total flows, while other markets collectively accounted for the remainder.

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

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

Imports cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste to the United Kingdom

Imports in kind, t

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. Imports fell to their lowest point in 2019 and peaked in 2018, with a 6.2-fold difference. In 2021, the United Kingdom imported 1 826 tonnes of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste, showing a 3.9% increase compared to 2020. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 161 tonnes, which also experienced the largest annual decline of 83.8%. The largest annual increase occurred in 2020 at 51.3%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the Netherlands absorbed 82.2% of total imports in kind of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste to the United Kingdom, with the balance distributed across a wide range of smaller destinations.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. Import values dropped to a minimum in 2019 and climbed to their maximum in 2018, a 3.2-fold shift. In 2021, the volume of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste imports to the United Kingdom was recorded at $744,000, amounting to a robust drop of 14.3% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at $378,000, which also saw the largest annual decline of 69.2%. The largest annual increase occurred in 2020 at 129.6%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the Netherlands and Germany played the leading roles in imports in value terms, with a combined share of 82.2% of total flows, while the remaining share was dispersed among other countries.

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

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