Market research

Not defatted cocoa paste market in Nigeria

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Nigerian not defatted cocoa paste market volume declined from 30 722 tons to 22 829 tons. The sharp drop in 2020 coincided with Nigeria's rise as a top exporter of cocoa paste, with export volumes surging to over 5 000 tons, which reduced domestic availability.

From 2021 onward, the market rebounded strongly, reaching 36 000 tons by 2023. This growth was fueled by the rapid expansion of domestic cocoa processing, reflected in the 6.5% increase in the cocoa powder market, and by rising chocolate production in Africa, which prompted key companies to scale up their operations and demand for cocoa paste.

In 2024, record-high global cocoa prices incentivized Nigerian farmers to boost production by 10%, while the Nigerian Export Promotion Council and Cocoa Association of Nigeria focused on supporting the processing industry. At the same time, shifting consumer preferences toward Western-style baked goods and confectionery continued to drive local demand for cocoa-based products.

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 Nigeria
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Nigeria in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Nigeria in value, 2018-2023, $ US
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. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Nigeria in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Nigeria in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Nigeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Nigeria in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Nigeria in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Nigeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Nigeria in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Nigeria in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Nigeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Nigeria in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Nigeria in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Nigeria by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Nigeria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Nigeria 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, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ 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 Nigeria

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Nigeria ranked 21st globally in production volume of not defatted cocoa paste.

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

Nigeria's production of not defatted cocoa paste declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 28 000 tonnes, marking a 7.1% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 17.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(2.9%)	(8.6%)	(7.1%)	(6.3%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports not defatted cocoa paste from Nigeria

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend during this period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 at 2 098 tonnes, then surged to 5 181 tonnes in 2020, representing a 2.5-fold increase between these years. The 2020 figure was 146.9% higher than in 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with an 8.0% drop.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	0.2%	(8.0%)	146.9%	31.6%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands (35.0% of exports in kind), Estonia (32.8%), and Spain (10.3%) together accounted for 78.1% of Nigeria's total exports of not defatted cocoa paste, making them the main destinations.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility over the observed period. Export values bottomed in 2019 at 4 597 thousand US dollars, then peaked in 2020 at 13 924 thousand US dollars, a threefold difference. The 2020 value was 202.9% higher than in 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018, with a 34.4% decrease.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(34.4%)	(17.7%)	202.9%	17.8%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Estonia (36.7% of exports in value terms), the Netherlands (34.8%), and Spain (6.0%) together absorbed 77.5% of Nigeria's total export value for not defatted cocoa paste, positioning them as the primary markets.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports not defatted cocoa paste to Nigeria

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Nigeria's imports of not defatted cocoa paste amounted to 10 tonnes, remaining nearly unchanged from 2019. Over the 2018-2020 period, imports grew by 429.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 74.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	n/a	n/a	n/a	-

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017-2020, the United Arab Emirates was the main supplier of not defatted cocoa paste to Nigeria, accounting for 84.1% of total imports in kind, while other partners held relatively modest shares.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Nigeria's imports of not defatted cocoa paste totaled 27 thousand US dollars, showing little change from 2019. Between 2018 and 2020, imports increased by 278.7%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 55.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	n/a	n/a	n/a	-

Source: SHEV.io

Over the 2017-2020 period, the United Arab Emirates consistently represented 79.1% of Nigeria's total import value for not defatted cocoa paste, indicating high market concentration, with the remainder distributed among other countries.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io