Not defatted cocoa paste market in CIS

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for not defatted cocoa paste in the CIS began the period at 60 572 t in 2018, supported by a temporary reduction in import duties on cocoa paste and cocoa butter enacted by the Eurasian Economic Commission in 2016, which encouraged imports. However, geopolitical risks and currency fluctuations started to constrain imports in 2019, contributing to a decline in market size to 54 569 t. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further disrupted supply chains and introduced new labeling and traceability requirements for food products, which complicated logistics and contributed to a further drop in market volume to 51 710 t.

Market volume recovered to 57 925 t in 2021, partly due to state procurement programs under Russian laws 44-FZ and 223-FZ that supported domestic demand, alongside the emergence of new chocolate product segments with reduced cocoa content. This recovery was abruptly reversed in 2022 when Western sanctions led to a sharp contraction in cocoa paste imports, causing the market to plummet to 31 114 t. Consumer interest simultaneously shifted toward alternative sweets without cocoa, such as marmalade and pastila.

By 2023, market volume edged down to 29 809 t as record global cocoa bean prices, reaching $10 000 per ton, raised production costs and prompted manufacturers to reduce cocoa share in recipes and decrease product weights. The growth of cocoa-free segments like marmalade and chewy candies by 10-15% also diverted demand. In 2024, the shortage of raw materials and a further price spike to $12 000 per ton continued to pressure the market, accompanied by tighter labeling and traceability rules.

Production not defatted cocoa paste in CIS

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, production of not defatted cocoa paste in the CIS reached its lowest point at 8,440 tonnes. The following year, in 2020, output surged to 11,199 tonnes, marking a significant 32.7% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 16.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 5.3%. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 12,240 tonnes, while the sharpest decline occurred in 2019 with a 31.0% drop.

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

Exports not defatted cocoa paste from CIS

Exports in kind, t

Exports of not defatted cocoa paste from the CIS have been rising for three consecutive years. In 2020, shipments reached 453 tonnes, reflecting a 14.0% year-over-year increase. From 2017 to 2020, exports expanded by 73%, averaging an annual growth rate of 20.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Ukraine, Estonia, and the Netherlands were the key destinations for CIS exports of not defatted cocoa paste in volume terms. Ukraine accounted for 65.6% of exports, Estonia for 5.6%, and the Netherlands for 2.7%. Together, these three countries represented 73.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of not defatted cocoa paste exports from the CIS stood at $1.8 million US, showing a robust 14.8% year-over-year rise. Over the 2017–2020 period, export value increased by 59.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 16.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at $1.9 million US. That year also saw the largest increase of 68.3%, while the most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a 17.6% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine, Estonia, and the Netherlands dominated the CIS's not defatted cocoa paste exports in value terms. Ukraine contributed 68.9% of export value, Estonia 4.4%, and the Netherlands 2.9%. Collectively, these three countries made up 76.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports not defatted cocoa paste to CIS

Imports in kind, t

Imports of not defatted cocoa paste into the CIS declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 40,964 tonnes, down 12.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 6.8%, averaging an annual decline of 2.3%. The peak was in 2018 at 48,629 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 10.7%.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, and Ukraine were the main sources of not defatted cocoa paste imports into the CIS in volume terms. Côte d'Ivoire supplied 36.3% of imports, Ghana 31.5%, and Ukraine 18.3%. Together, these three countries accounted for 86.0% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Cross-border shipments of not defatted cocoa paste into the CIS fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import value totaled $154.7 million US, indicating a moderate 7.3% year-over-year decline. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at $167.3 million US, which also experienced the largest increase of 7.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, and Ukraine remained the principal suppliers of not defatted cocoa paste to the CIS in value terms. Côte d'Ivoire accounted for 35.2% of import value, Ghana for 29.8%, and Ukraine for 18.8%. Jointly, these three countries represented 83.7% of total imports in value terms.

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

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