Market research

Not defatted cocoa paste market in MENA

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"MENA" region includes following countries:

Algeria

Bahrain

Djibouti

Egypt

Israel

Jordan

Iran

Iraq

Qatar

Kuwait

Lebanon

Libya

Malta

Morocco

the United Arab Emirates

Oman

Saudi Arabia

Syria

Tunisia

Yemen

Earlier Report Observations

The market for not defatted cocoa paste in the MENA region contracted from 38 thousand tons in 2018 to 32 thousand tons in 2021, before recovering to 37 thousand tons in 2023. Domestic production followed a similar pattern, falling to a low of 7.7 thousand tons in 2021 and then rebounding to 12.6 thousand tons by 2023. Import volumes remained relatively stable throughout this period, averaging around 25 thousand tons annually.

In 2024, import volumes declined to 23 thousand tons. This occurred amid growing regional demand for cocoa paste, particularly for halal, organic, and fair-trade certified products. However, historic price increases for cocoa on global markets, driven by poor harvests in West Africa, led to significantly higher import costs, which likely tempered import volumes despite steady consumption growth.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in MENA
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in MENA in kind, 2018-2023, t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Imports
1. 6.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Exports
1. 7.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Algeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production not defatted cocoa paste in MENA

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of not defatted cocoa paste, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

MENA's production of not defatted cocoa paste has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 9 247 tonnes, marking a significant drop of 19.5% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 42%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 16.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(19.5%)	(10.5%)	(19.5%)	(16.6%)

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

MENA's production of not defatted cocoa paste has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 36 001 thousand US dollars, representing a 16.2% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value dropped by 38.6%, with an average annual decline of 15.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in MENA in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(11.9%)	(16.8%)	(16.2%)	(15.0%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports not defatted cocoa paste from MENA

Exports in kind, t

The market showed considerable volatility during this period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 at 105 tonnes and peaked in 2020 at 961 tonnes, resulting in a 9.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports surged by 178.8% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 6.7%, while the most significant increase was in 2019, rising by 228.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(6.7%)	228.3%	178.8%	104.4%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Turkmenistan, and Free Zones played notable but not dominant roles as buyers of not defatted cocoa paste from MENA. The Netherlands accounted for 6.2% of exports in kind, Turkmenistan for 1.5%, and Free Zones for 1.0%, with their combined share reaching just 8.8% of total exports.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

Not defatted cocoa paste exports from MENA have increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 3 740 thousand US dollars, showing a sharp rise of 190.1% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 804.4%, with an average annual increase of 108.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	2.2%	205.2%	190.1%	108.3%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for exports in value terms was balanced rather than concentrated. The Netherlands represented 7.8% of exports in value, Turkmenistan 1.5%, and Free Zones 1.3%, together accounting for 10.6% of total flows. Many other countries made up the remaining 89.4%.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports not defatted cocoa paste to MENA

Imports in kind, t

MENA's imports of not defatted cocoa paste have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported 25 193 tonnes, which was nearly unchanged from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 12.9%, with an average annual growth of 4.1%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 25 351 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 0.3%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, rising by 13.6%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	13.6%	(0.3%)	(0.3%)	4.1%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, and the Netherlands were the top sources for imports in kind of not defatted cocoa paste to MENA. Côte d'Ivoire accounted for 41.2% of imports, Ghana for 29.4%, and the Netherlands for 8.9%, together comprising 79.6% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Not defatted cocoa paste imports to MENA have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 90 348 thousand US dollars, showing a modest gain of 5.0% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 12.4%, with an average annual increase of 4.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	3.4%	3.5%	5.0%	4.0%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, and the Netherlands were the main sources in the geographical breakdown of imports in value terms for not defatted cocoa paste to MENA. Côte d'Ivoire represented 41.0% of imports in value, Ghana 27.6%, and the Netherlands 9.4%, with their combined share reaching 78.1% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io