Not defatted cocoa paste market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

Domestic production of not defatted cocoa paste in Eastern Asia declined from 29 790 tons in 2018 to 11 307 tons in 2022. This downturn coincided with the tightening of national regulations for the cosmetics industry, which introduced stricter rules for ingredients, efficacy, and labeling. These measures, implemented from 2021 onward, affected the market for cocoa-containing cosmetic products, influencing demand for the paste. A partial recovery to 14 003 tons occurred in 2023, supported by the continued expansion of domestic cocoa cultivation in regions like Hainan, where commercial planting areas exceeded 600 hectares.

The market's overall volume remained heavily reliant on imports, which consistently exceeded 38 000 tons annually, reflecting a persistent domestic supply gap noted in industry reports. Total market volume fluctuated, falling from 67 697 tons in 2018 to 51 757 tons in 2020 before recovering to 54 108 tons by 2023. By 2024, a significant external factor emerged as global cocoa prices surged due to extreme weather and crop disease in key African growing regions, elevating raw material costs for importers.

Production not defatted cocoa paste in Eastern Asia

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

Eastern Asia's production of not defatted cocoa paste has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 20 104 tonnes, marking a 30.9% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 24.9%, which translates to an average annual decline of 9.1%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 29 790 tonnes, with the largest year-over-year increase of 11.3% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Asia in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output of not defatted cocoa paste in Eastern Asia was valued at 82.5 million US dollars, representing a 29.8% decrease from the year before. From 2017 to 2020, the value of production dropped by 36.8%, averaging an annual decline of 14.2%. The largest increase in value was recorded in 2019, with a modest rise of 1.0%.

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

Exports not defatted cocoa paste from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, t

Exports of not defatted cocoa paste from Eastern Asia have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, shipments reached 446 tonnes, up 21.3% compared to 2019. However, over the broader period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 9.6%, with an average annual decline of 3.3%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 277 tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 43.9%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase, with exports growing by 32.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of exports in kind was highly diversified. Thailand accounted for 14.9% of exports, Vietnam for 9.6%, and Malaysia for 9.2%, with these three countries together making up only 33.7% of total flows. The remaining 66.3% was distributed among a long tail of smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of not defatted cocoa paste exports from Eastern Asia has risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 1.8 million US dollars, a 23.2% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, however, export value decreased by 24%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -8.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1.1 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 55.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 37.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, exports in value terms of not defatted cocoa paste from Eastern Asia showed a broad spread across markets. Thailand contributed 17.4% of export value, Vietnam 11.8%, and Malaysia 6.3%, with these three countries together accounting for only 35.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports not defatted cocoa paste to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, t

Imports of not defatted cocoa paste into Eastern Asia have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported approximately 32 099 tonnes, representing a significant drop of 15.1% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 14.9%, averaging an annual decline of 5.2%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 38 184 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 1.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Malaysia, Ghana, and Indonesia consistently remained the main sources for imports in kind. Malaysia accounted for 29.5% of imports, Ghana for 21.0%, and Indonesia for 18.3%, with these three countries together making up 68.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, imports of not defatted cocoa paste into Eastern Asia declined. In 2020, the region imported approximately 136.1 million US dollars worth of not defatted cocoa paste, a modest drop of 8.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 5.6%, with an average annual decline of 1.9%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 148.2 million US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 2.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Ghana formed the main cluster of markets for imports in value terms. Malaysia accounted for 28.9% of import value, Indonesia for 23.9%, and Ghana for 17.5%, with these three countries together representing 70.3% of total flows.

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

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