Not defatted cocoa paste market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for not defatted cocoa paste in Germany fluctuated between 339.8 thousand tonnes and 359.9 thousand tonnes from 2018 to 2023. After a slight increase to 347.6 thousand tonnes in 2019, volume dipped in 2020 and fell more noticeably to 333.2 thousand tonnes in 2021, a year when per capita consumption was reported at around 2.7 kg. A strong recovery followed in 2022, with market volume jumping to 359.9 thousand tonnes, before stabilizing at 356.8 thousand tonnes in 2023.

A sharp rise in global cocoa prices became a dominant market feature in 2023. Supply was constrained by harvest losses of 40-50% in West Africa due to a widespread fungal disease and adverse climatic conditions, which severely affected cocoa bean availability. Concurrently, political instability in key producing nations further tightened supply. These factors drove up production costs for chocolate manufacturers, leading to significant price increases for end products.

The market's value response was pronounced, rising by 25% to $1.6 billion in 2023. This period also saw sustainability become a core market driver, with 86% of cocoa used in sweets in Germany sourced from sustainable cultivation by 2024. The impending EU deforestation regulation, set to take effect at the end of 2024, introduced new due diligence requirements, adding further complexity and cost pressure to the supply chain.

Production not defatted cocoa paste in Germany

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany held the fourth position globally in the production of not defatted cocoa paste.

Top producers of not defatted cocoa paste, 2017-2020

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

Germany's production of not defatted cocoa paste declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output reached 343.7 thousand tonnes, down 6.4% from the previous year. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 367.7 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 6.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of not defatted cocoa paste production in Germany was 1 280 million US dollars, rising 3.7% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value grew by 9.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.0%. The largest annual decline occurred in 2019 at 1.3%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 6.8%.

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

Exports not defatted cocoa paste from Germany

Exports in kind, t

Germany's exports of not defatted cocoa paste fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export volume stood at 73 584 tonnes, a decrease of 10.9% compared to 2019. The peak export volume was in 2018 at 86 822 tonnes, which also experienced the largest annual growth of 15.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Belgium, Italy, and Poland remained the primary buyers of not defatted cocoa paste from Germany. Belgium accounted for 25.2% of exports in volume, Italy for 15.3%, and Poland for 14.3%. Together, these three countries represented 54.7% of Germany's total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Germany's export value of not defatted cocoa paste declined for the second year running. In 2020, exports totaled 274.0 million US dollars, a slight drop of 1.2% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 8.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 295.2 million US dollars, which saw the largest annual increase of 16.5%, while the biggest decline occurred in 2019 at 6.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, Italy, and Poland were the top contributors to Germany's export value of not defatted cocoa paste. Belgium made up 26.0% of exports in value terms, Italy 14.9%, and Poland 14.5%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 55.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports not defatted cocoa paste to Germany

Imports in kind, t

Germany's imports of not defatted cocoa paste increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume reached 58 847 tonnes, marking a robust advance of 17.9% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 21.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.8%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 58 847 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual decline of 3.4%.

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

During 2017-2020, the Netherlands, France, and Switzerland were the main sources for Germany's imports of not defatted cocoa paste in volume terms. The Netherlands supplied 43.8% of imports in kind, France 22.1%, and Switzerland 14.3%. Together, these three countries constituted 80.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Germany's import value of not defatted cocoa paste rose for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 282.0 million US dollars, representing a dramatic increase of 28.1% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value grew by 24.9%, with an annualized rate of 7.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 207.0 million US dollars, which experienced the largest annual decline of 8.3%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the Netherlands, France, and Switzerland formed the key group of partners for Germany's imports of not defatted cocoa paste in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 43.1% of imports in value, France for 21.7%, and Switzerland for 17.7%. Jointly, these three countries represented 82.5% of total import flows.

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

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