Not defatted cocoa paste market in Indonesia

Earlier Report Observations

Production of not defatted cocoa paste in Indonesia fluctuated between 678 thousand tonnes and 757 thousand tonnes from 2018 to 2023. After stable output in 2018-2019, production fell in 2020 as cocoa plantation area and bean harvest declined. A partial recovery followed in 2021, supported by the government's ongoing hilirisasi policy that encourages domestic processing of cocoa beans. However, output dropped again in 2022, coinciding with the introduction of a 5-10% export duty on cocoa beans, which affected domestic raw material supply, and the impact of El Niño on cocoa crops. Production rebounded to 713.8 thousand tonnes in 2023. Market volume in kind followed a similar path, peaking at 738.4 thousand tonnes in 2019, dipping to 671.3 thousand tonnes in 2022, and recovering to 703.9 thousand tonnes in 2023.

In value terms, the market for not defatted cocoa paste grew consistently from USD 2,798 million in 2018 to USD 3,718 million in 2023, despite physical volume swings. This rise was driven by higher global cocoa prices and a structural shift toward exporting more processed products like cocoa paste, aligned with state policy. Export volume of paste remained relatively steady in kind, but its value increased from USD 70 million in 2018 to USD 70 million in 2023, with a further jump to USD 225 million by 2025, reflecting price gains and a higher share of value-added exports. Imports stayed marginal, accounting for less than 1% of market volume.

Production not defatted cocoa paste in Indonesia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Indonesia was the world's leading producer of not defatted cocoa paste.

Top producers of not defatted cocoa paste, 2018-2021

World map of production of not defatted cocoa paste, 2018-2021

In 2021, Indonesia produced 728.0 K t of not defatted cocoa paste, marking a 3.4% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production declined by 3.2%, averaging an annual decrease of 1.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2020 at 704.0 K t, while the highest was in 2019 at 756.9 K t. The most significant drop occurred in 2020, with a 7.0% decrease.

Annual dynamics of production in Indonesia in kind, 2018-2021, K t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Not defatted cocoa paste production in Indonesia grew for the third year in a row. In 2021, the output was valued at 3 633 M $ US, showing a moderate increase of 8.4% compared to 2020. From 2018 to 2021, production rose by 26.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 8.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Indonesia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports not defatted cocoa paste from Indonesia

Exports in kind, t

In 2021, Indonesia's cross-border shipments of not defatted cocoa paste totaled 13 541 t, reflecting a significant rise of 23.4% from 2020. However, between 2018 and 2021, exports fell by 26.4%, averaging an annual decline of 9.7%. The lowest export volume was in 2020 at 10 976 t, while the highest was in 2019 at 19 848 t. The largest decrease was recorded in 2020, with a 44.7% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Indonesia in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, the main destinations for Indonesia's not defatted cocoa paste exports in kind were China (42.5% of exports), Malaysia (35.0%), and Australia (9.8%). Together, these three countries accounted for 87.3% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Indonesia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2021, Indonesia exported 67 571 K $ US worth of not defatted cocoa paste, representing a steep increase of 29.3% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 3.6%, with an average annual decline of 1.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 52 273 K $ US, while the highest was in 2019 at 80 339 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a 34.9% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Indonesia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, China (54.3% of total flows) and Malaysia (26.5%) together made up 80.9% of Indonesia's not defatted cocoa paste exports in value terms, with other partners accounting for the remainder.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Indonesia in value, 2018-2021

Imports not defatted cocoa paste to Indonesia

Imports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend over the period. The lowest import volume was in 2018, while the highest was in 2021, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 4.1 times. In 2021, Indonesia imported 1 964 t of not defatted cocoa paste, indicating a dramatic gain of 125.7% year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2020 at 35.0%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 181.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Indonesia in kind, 2018-2021, t

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Malaysia (47.2% of imports in kind), Singapore (19.1%), and Ghana (13.8%) were the key partners for Indonesia's imports of not defatted cocoa paste in kind, jointly representing 80.2% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Indonesia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. The lowest import value was in 2018, while the peak hit in 2021, with a 4.5-fold gap. In 2021, Indonesia imported 7 235 K $ US of not defatted cocoa paste, up by 114.5% year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2020 at 22.2%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 170.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Indonesia in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Malaysia (46.9% of imports in value terms), Singapore (22.7%), and Ghana (12.2%) were the main suppliers of not defatted cocoa paste to Indonesia, together comprising 81.8% of total imports in value terms.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Indonesia in value, 2018-2021