Not defatted cocoa paste market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The Italian market for not defatted cocoa paste grew from 104 875 t in 2018 to a peak of 118 241 t in 2021, driven by a rise in domestic production from 77 971 t to 84 493 t over the same period. After 2021, the market volume stabilized around 116 000 t through 2023, indicating a plateau following the earlier expansion.

Imports of cocoa paste increased from 29 026 t in 2018 to 38 508 t in 2023, playing a key role in supplying the market, while exports remained low at under 2 000 t annually. The import dip in 2020 coincided with a temporary reduction in overall market size to 105 224 t, but strong recovery followed in 2021.

In 2024, imports surged to 43 658 t. This increase occurred alongside a global cocoa supply crisis, where record-high prices were driven by poor harvests in West Africa due to drought and plant disease, reducing world production by approximately 11%. Concurrently, growing Italian chocolate exports and a consumer shift towards dark and premium chocolate segments bolstered demand for cocoa paste as a key ingredient.

Production not defatted cocoa paste in Italy

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Italy was one of the world's leading producers of not defatted cocoa paste from 2017 to 2020, ranking 13th globally by production volume during this period.

Top producers of not defatted cocoa paste, 2017-2020

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

Italy's production of not defatted cocoa paste increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 78 771 tonnes, up 0.7% from 2019. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 77 971 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 2.1%.

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

Exports not defatted cocoa paste from Italy

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. The minimum was recorded in 2020 at 838 tonnes, down 54.7% year-over-year, while the maximum was in 2018 at 2 122 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 73.4%. This resulted in a 2.5-fold variation between these two years.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy exported not defatted cocoa paste to a diverse range of markets. Argentina accounted for 22.0% of exports in kind, Poland for 13.0%, and the United Kingdom for 11.0%, together making up 46.1% of total exports. The remaining 53.9% was distributed among many smaller destinations.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Export value of not defatted cocoa paste from Italy declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, it amounted to 5.5 million US dollars, a sharp decrease of 37.2% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 10.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 50.0%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 23.8%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 8.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the top buyers of not defatted cocoa paste from Italy in value terms were Argentina with 22.6% of exports, India with 19.4%, and the United Kingdom with 12.9%. Together, these three countries accounted for 54.8% of total export value.

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

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

Imports not defatted cocoa paste to Italy

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year increase, Italy's imports of not defatted cocoa paste declined. In 2020, imports were recorded at 27 291 tonnes, down 15.1% year-over-year. The maximum was in 2019 at 32 146 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 10.7%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 2.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany was the leading source of imports in kind, accounting for 44.6%, followed by Switzerland at 23.3% and the Netherlands at 17.2%. Together, these three countries formed 85.1% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year advance, Italy's import value of not defatted cocoa paste declined. In 2020, imports came to 109.4 million US dollars, a modest reduction of 5.9% year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 116.3 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 10.1%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 6.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany remained the key partner in import value terms, accounting for 39.9%, followed by Switzerland at 28.0% and the Netherlands at 15.5%. Together, these three countries accounted for 83.5% of total import value.

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

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