Not defatted cocoa paste market in Americas

Earlier Report Observations

The market for not defatted cocoa paste in the Americas showed significant volatility from 2018 to 2023. It began at 825 thousand tons in 2018, edging down slightly the following year. A more pronounced contraction occurred in 2020, bringing the market volume to 767 thousand tons. This was followed by a robust recovery in 2021, which pushed the market to a peak of 881 thousand tons. However, this upward movement proved temporary, as volumes fell again over the next two years, reaching 729 thousand tons by 2023.

The downward trend from 2021 halted in 2024, with consumption reaching 720 thousand tons. This stabilization occurred against a backdrop of a severe global cocoa supply shortage, driven by crop diseases in West Africa, which pushed prices to historic highs above $10,000 per ton by late 2024. Concurrently, consumer demand in the region was supported by a shift in preferences toward premium, organic, and sustainable products. Major industry players also made strategic moves, with Barry Callebaut launching a new line of defatted cocoa powders for health applications under the Bensdorp brand and Hershey expanding its manufacturing and research capabilities in Asia.

Production not defatted cocoa paste in Americas

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

Production of not defatted cocoa paste in the Americas declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output reached 765.9 thousand tonnes, down 6.2% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 3.8%, with an average annual decline of 1.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 827.4 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 4.0%.

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

Exports not defatted cocoa paste from Americas

Exports in kind, t

Exports of not defatted cocoa paste from the Americas reached 21 474 tonnes in 2020, up 15.0% year-on-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 28%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 8.6%. The peak export volume was in 2018 at 26 011 tonnes. The largest annual decline occurred in 2019 at 28.2%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 55.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports of not defatted cocoa paste from the Americas were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. Japan accounted for 6.2% of exports, Australia for 2.3%, and the Netherlands for 2.0%, with these three countries together representing just 10.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Export revenues from not defatted cocoa paste shipments from the Americas increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 142.6 million US dollars, a sharp rise of 27.1% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 73.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 20.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the value of not defatted cocoa paste exports from the Americas was spread across numerous partner countries. Japan represented 5.3% of export value, Australia 2.4%, and the Netherlands 2.1%, with these three countries together accounting for only 9.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports not defatted cocoa paste to Americas

Imports in kind, t

Imports of not defatted cocoa paste into the Americas declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 22 379 tonnes, showing a slight decrease of 0.8% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 16%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.1%. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 23 416 tonnes. The largest annual decline was in 2019 at 3.7%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2018 at 21.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports of not defatted cocoa paste into the Americas were not heavily concentrated. Côte d'Ivoire accounted for 19.4% of imports, Belgium for 6.7%, and Ghana for 5.3%, with these three countries together capturing only 31.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the Americas imported 152.4 million US dollars worth of not defatted cocoa paste, a 13.7% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value rose by 16.3%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 5.2%. The largest annual decline was recorded in 2019 at 2.2%.

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

The partner structure for imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 remained fragmented. Côte d'Ivoire represented 17.7% of import value, Belgium 7.5%, and Ghana 5.0%, with these three countries together accounting for only 30.2% of total flows, and no single country holding a dominant share.

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

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