Not defatted cocoa paste market in Central America

Earlier Report Observations

The Central American not defatted cocoa paste market grew from 64,712 t in 2018 to 74,425 t in 2019, driven by the launch of Costa Rica's National Cocoa Plan 2018-2028. This comprehensive policy initiative aimed to consolidate the cocoa agro-chain by supporting producer families and improving the competitiveness and sustainability of the entire sector from inputs to consumption.

Market volume then fell sharply to 33,480 t in 2020, reflecting the severe disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. A recovery followed, with volumes reaching 46,733 t in 2021 and 55,367 t in 2022, as the region emerged from the crisis.

A slight decline to 52,314 t occurred in 2023. During this period, regional competitiveness factors came into focus, including a medium-to-high threat from substitute products, low bargaining power for producers, and an incipient cocoa culture, which collectively may have constrained market expansion.

Production not defatted cocoa paste in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of not defatted cocoa paste, 2017-2020

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

In 2019, Central America produced 73,926 tonnes of not defatted cocoa paste, marking the highest output in recent years. However, production declined significantly to 32,992 tonnes in 2020, representing a 55.4% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 49.9%, which translates to an average annual decline of 20.6%. The most notable increase occurred in 2019, with a 14.8% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Central America in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports not defatted cocoa paste from Central America

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 at 34.2 tonnes, while peaking in 2018 at 147.3 tonnes, resulting in a 4.3-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports from Central America amounted to 37.3 tonnes, reflecting a moderate increase of 9.0% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 76.8%, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 22.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the largest buyers of not defatted cocoa paste from Central America were Poland, accounting for 64.9% of exports in kind, the United States with 10.5%, and the Netherlands at 7.0%. Together, these three countries represented 82.3% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decline, exports of not defatted cocoa paste from Central America rebounded in 2020. The value reached 214,000 US dollars, showing a 22.0% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 47.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -19.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 175,000 US dollars, and the largest decline occurred that same year at 50.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Poland was the top destination for exports in value terms, accounting for 44.6%, followed by the United States at 18.1%, and the Netherlands at 12.0%. Collectively, these three countries absorbed 74.7% of total export value, making them the primary markets for not defatted cocoa paste from Central America.

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

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

Imports not defatted cocoa paste to Central America

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Central America imported 525.8 tonnes of not defatted cocoa paste, a slight decrease of 1.4% from the previous year. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 471.4 tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 533.5 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 8.9%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 13.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main suppliers of not defatted cocoa paste to Central America were Ecuador, contributing 36.1% of imports in kind, Peru with 30.0%, and Colombia at 20.3%. Together, these three countries accounted for 86.4% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Imports of not defatted cocoa paste into Central America increased for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 1,994,000 US dollars, which indicates a slight rise of 1.5% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 7.9%, with a CAGR of -2.7%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 1,744,000 US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 19.4%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 12.7%.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, the leading sources for imports in value terms were Peru, representing 34.4% of imports, Ecuador at 30.9%, and Colombia at 21.0%. These three countries jointly accounted for 86.4% of total import flows into Central America.

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

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