Not defatted cocoa paste market in China

Earlier Report Observations

The market for not defatted cocoa paste in China experienced considerable volatility between 2018 and 2023. It reached its highest volume of 43 704 t in 2018, a period marked by the rapid advancement of domestic cocoa processing technologies and the establishment of improved quality control systems. However, concurrent constraints in domestic cultivation, including limited suitable land in Hainan and challenges in primary processing, indicated underlying supply limitations. The market then contracted sharply to 31 382 t in 2020 before a partial recovery to 34 350 t in 2021.

Market volume declined again to 27 927 t in 2022, a shift that aligned with the growing market for cocoa butter substitutes like palm and lauric oils, which reduced demand for natural cocoa paste in certain food and confectionery applications. A strong rebound followed in 2023, with the market growing to 33 317 t. This recovery was propelled by a global surge in cocoa prices due to climate-induced supply shortages, which spurred increased imports, alongside steadfast consumer demand for chocolate and rising sales of domestic chocolate brands.

Factors observed in 2024 suggested the persistence of high cocoa prices and ongoing supply tightness caused by extreme weather and crop diseases. During this period, Chinese consumers' growing preference for high-quality and healthier chocolate continued to support demand, as reflected in substantial import volumes of 19 608 t for the year.

Production not defatted cocoa paste in China

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, China ranked as the 23rd largest producer of not defatted cocoa paste globally.

Top producers of not defatted cocoa paste, 2017-2020

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

China's production of not defatted cocoa paste fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, output reached 16 233 tonnes, marking a sharp 35.8% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production declined by 23.3%, with an average annual decrease of 8.4%. The peak was in 2018 at 26 019 tonnes, which also saw the biggest annual rise of 23.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in China in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of growth, China's not defatted cocoa paste production turned downward. In 2020, the value of output stood at 62.2 million US dollars, a steep 41.2% fall year-on-year. From 2017 to 2020, production value dropped by 24.8%, averaging a 9.1% annual decline. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 105.9 million US dollars, with that year also posting the largest increase of 19.9%.

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

Exports not defatted cocoa paste from China

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an erratic pattern during this period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2020 at 21 tonnes, an 81.5% plunge from the previous year, and peaked in 2019 at 113 tonnes, resulting in a 5.4-fold difference between these years. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019, surging by 140.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Malaysia, the United States, and Ghana were China's top partners for not defatted cocoa paste exports by volume. Malaysia accounted for 27.1% of exports, the United States for 18.0%, and Ghana for 14.4%, together making up 59.5% of total shipments.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data points to a volatile market with irregular shifts. Export value bottomed out in 2020 at 80 000 US dollars, down 83.0% from 2019, and peaked in 2019 at 474 000 US dollars, creating a 5.9-fold gap. The most significant annual jump was in 2019, soaring by 197.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Malaysia, and Ghana were the leading destinations for China's not defatted cocoa paste exports by value. The United States took 24.5% of exports, Malaysia 22.4%, and Ghana 16.0%, collectively representing 62.9% of total export value.

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

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

Imports not defatted cocoa paste to China

Imports in kind, t

Imports of not defatted cocoa paste into China declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 15 170 tonnes, a substantial 12.0% decrease year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 span, imports fell by 18.1%, equivalent to an average annual drop of 6.4%.

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

During 2017-2020, Indonesia, Côte d'Ivoire, and Malaysia were the primary sources for China's not defatted cocoa paste imports by volume. Indonesia supplied 35.9% of imports, Côte d'Ivoire 21.1%, and Malaysia 16.7%, together comprising 73.6% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of not defatted cocoa paste imports into China dropped for the third year in a row. In 2020, import value amounted to 68.495 million US dollars, a moderate 5.6% reduction from the year before. From 2017 to 2020, import value decreased by 8.1%, with an average annual decline of 2.8%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Indonesia, Côte d'Ivoire, and Malaysia remained key partners for China's not defatted cocoa paste imports by value. Indonesia contributed 45.0% of import value, Côte d'Ivoire 17.6%, and Malaysia 15.7%, jointly accounting for 78.3% of total import flows.

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

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