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

Earlier Report Observations

The cocoa shells, husks, and waste market in Western Europe grew from 245.6 thousand tons in 2018 to 261 thousand tons in 2019, supported by increasing attention to sustainability and the circular economy. Startups began developing innovative applications for cocoa waste, such as biopolymers, bioenergy, and dietary supplements, creating new demand and helping to valorize this by-product.

Market volume dipped to 249.4 thousand tons in 2020 due to supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. A sharp recovery followed in 2021, with volume surging to 304 thousand tons, primarily driven by sharply rising global cocoa bean prices, which made the processing and utilization of cocoa waste more economically attractive for the industry.

In the following years, the market experienced fluctuations, declining to 278 thousand tons in 2022 and 262.2 thousand tons in 2023, influenced by broader global market volatility. During this period, investment in sustainable waste valorization continued, with advancements in processing technologies and the emergence of new segments like functional foods and cosmetics based on cocoa shells. By 2024, major players like Nestlé and Unilever were implementing blockchain for supply chain transparency, reflecting the sector's ongoing evolution toward greater sustainability and traceability.

Production cocoa shells, husks, skins and waste in Western Europe

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

Western Europe's production of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 266.8 thousand tonnes, marking a 2.0% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production actually grew by 8.6%, which translates to an average annual increase of 2.8%. The peak was reached in 2018, with 272.5 thousand tonnes, when production surged by 10.9%—the largest annual gain during this timeframe.

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

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

Exports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Western Europe's exports of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste rebounded in 2020. The export volume totaled 37,369 tonnes, showing a sharp year-over-year increase of 50.2%. However, over the broader period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 13.6%, averaging an annual decline of 4.8%. The lowest point was in 2019, with 24,878 tonnes, when exports dropped by 40.6%—the steepest decrease recorded.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export structure for cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste remained highly diversified. Italy accounted for 11.3% of exports, Spain for 4.9%, and the United Kingdom for 3.1%. Together, these three countries made up just 19.3% of total flows, with the remaining 80.7% spread across a wide range of smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Western Europe's exports of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste in value terms have risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 18,531 thousand US dollars, indicating a dramatic 31.7% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 12.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018, at 11,857 thousand US dollars, when exports fell by 28.2%—the largest decline during this time.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the value-based export structure for cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste from Western Europe was not heavily concentrated. Spain held a 10.5% share, Italy 6.7%, and the United Kingdom 3.5%. Combined, these three countries captured only 20.7% of total export flows.

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

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

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

Imports in kind, t

Western Europe's imports of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste totaled 20,029 tonnes in 2020, representing a 46.6% increase over the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports surged by 70.8%, averaging an annual growth rate of 19.5%. The only decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 8.9%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, imports of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste into Western Europe were not concentrated on a few key markets. Côte d'Ivoire accounted for 4.5% of imports, Ghana for 4.4%, and Switzerland for 1.8%. Together, these three countries made up just 10.7% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Cross-border shipments of cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste into Western Europe have increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports registered 13,638 thousand US dollars, marking a small uptick of 1.3% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 43.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, there was no single dominant market for cocoa shells, husks, skins, and waste imports into Western Europe in value terms. Ghana accounted for 14.4% of imports, Côte d'Ivoire for 11.9%, and Italy for 2.2%. Together, these three countries took only 28.5% of total import value, with many smaller partners each contributing modest individual shares.

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

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