Not defatted cocoa paste market in Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The African not defatted cocoa paste market maintained stable consumption around 330 thousand tons in 2018-2019, while production expanded from 568 to 629 thousand tons. This was supported by rising global demand for chocolate and cocoa-based products, which encouraged increased processing activity in key producing countries like Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana. The market's resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 helped fuel a sharp increase in both production and domestic consumption, with market volume jumping to 510 thousand tons.

Growth continued through 2021-2023, with the market reaching 732 thousand tons by 2023. European demand played a significant role, notably a 10% rise in French imports of not defatted cocoa paste in 2022, which bolstered African export volumes and supported further production expansion. Although global cocoa bean harvests faced climate-related and disease pressures in 2023, African cocoa paste output continued to rise, reflecting strong processing capacity and ongoing international demand.

Entering 2024, new regulatory measures began affecting the market. The European Union's Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR), effective from December 2024, imposed traceability and due diligence requirements on cocoa products sold in the EU, directly impacting African exporters' market access. Concurrently, supply-side challenges persisted, with Ghana's Cocoa Board adjusting farm-gate prices and West African harvests constrained by poor weather and aging trees, influencing cocoa paste availability and costs.

Production not defatted cocoa paste in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of not defatted cocoa paste, 2017-2020

World map of production of not defatted cocoa paste, 2017-2020

African production of not defatted cocoa paste has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, Africa produced 844.1 thousand tons, marking a significant 34.2% rise from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 34.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 568.2 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 9.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

African production of not defatted cocoa paste has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 2 795 million US dollars, representing a substantial 58.0% increase from the year before. Between 2017 and 2020, production value rose by 43.2%, corresponding to an annualized growth rate of 12.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 618 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 17.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports not defatted cocoa paste from Africa

Exports in kind, K t

African exports of not defatted cocoa paste have grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 337.5 thousand tons, up 8.4% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 33.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.2%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 245.8 thousand tons, which saw a decline of 2.5%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 26.7% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, France, and the United States were the core destinations for African exports of not defatted cocoa paste in volume terms. The Netherlands accounted for 33.6% of exports, France for 16.3%, and the United States for 11.2%. Together, these three countries represented 61.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

African exports of not defatted cocoa paste have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 1 118 million US dollars, showing a steep 27.6% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 42.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 700 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 10.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, France, and the United States stood out as the main markets for African exports of not defatted cocoa paste in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 33.4% of export value, France for 17.0%, and the United States for 11.3%. Collectively, these three countries represented 61.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports not defatted cocoa paste to Africa

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, African imports of not defatted cocoa paste declined. In 2020, imports were recorded at 3.6 thousand tons, a sharp 63.2% contraction from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 24%, equating to an annualized decline of 8.7%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 9.7 thousand tons, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 60.4% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Spain, and Singapore were the largest suppliers of not defatted cocoa paste to Africa in volume terms. The Netherlands accounted for 12.8% of imports, Spain for 3.6%, and Singapore for 2.0%. However, their combined contribution was limited to 18.4% of total imports, reflecting a diversified supplier structure.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

African imports of not defatted cocoa paste have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 39 million US dollars, showing a strong 15.2% contraction year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 2.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.9%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 47 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 22.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Spain, and Singapore played notable roles as suppliers of not defatted cocoa paste to Africa in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 13.4% of import value, Spain for 3.8%, and Singapore for 2.9%. However, their joint share reached only 20.0% of total imports, indicating that they were not dominant in the market.

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

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