Market research

Not defatted cocoa paste market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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"Sub-Saharan Africa" region includes following countries:

Cabo Verde

Benin

Gambia

Ghana

Guinea

Côte d'Ivoire

Liberia

Mali

Mauritania

Niger

Nigeria

Guinea-Bissau

Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

Senegal

Sierra Leone

Togo

Burkina Faso

British Indian Ocean Territory

Burundi

Comoros

Mayotte

Ethiopia

Eritrea

French Southern Territories

Djibouti

Kenya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mauritius

Mozambique

Reunion

Rwanda

Seychelles

Somalia

Zimbabwe

South Sudan

Uganda

Tanzania

Zambia

Angola

Cameroon

Central African Republic

Chad

Congo

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Equatorial Guinea

Gabon

Sao Tome and Principe

Botswana

Lesotho

Namibia

South Africa

Eswatini

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for not defatted cocoa paste in Sub-Saharan Africa expanded substantially from 314 thousand tons in 2018 to 716 thousand tons in 2023. After a stable period in 2019, consumption jumped in 2020 and continued growing through the early 2020s, supported by rising local production which increased from 562 thousand tons to over 1 million tons during the same period.

In 2024, the regional cocoa market was shaped by historic price surges, with global cocoa prices reaching up to $12 000 per metric ton due to poor harvests in Ivory Coast and Ghana and climate disruptions. Nigeria, a key producer, saw cocoa exports surge by 304% in the first quarter, driven by strong global demand and a depreciating naira that made exports more competitive. Government efforts aimed to boost national production to 500 thousand metric tons, while local processing plants faced challenges operating at only 8% capacity due to regulatory hurdles and infrastructure constraints.

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 Sub-Saharan Africa
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2018-2023, K t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, K 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, K 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, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, K 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 Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Cabo Verde 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 Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cabo Verde 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, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, K 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 Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Cabo Verde 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 Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Cabo Verde 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, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, K 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 Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Cabo Verde 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 Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cabo Verde 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, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Cabo Verde in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, K 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 Cabo Verde in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Cabo Verde 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 Cabo Verde, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Cabo Verde by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K 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 Sub-Saharan Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K 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

Sub-Saharan Africa's production of not defatted cocoa paste has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 838.2 thousand tons, marking a significant increase of 34.8% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 35.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 562.0 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 9.4% during this timeframe.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(9.4%)	10.6%	34.8%	10.6%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of not defatted cocoa paste production in Sub-Saharan Africa has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 2 764 million US dollars, representing a substantial rise of 58.9% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 43.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.9%. The lowest value occurred in 2018 at 1 578 million US dollars, which also experienced the most significant drop of 17.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(17.9%)	10.2%	58.9%	12.9%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports not defatted cocoa paste from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Export volumes of not defatted cocoa paste from Sub-Saharan Africa have risen for the second year running. In 2020, exports reached 342.5 thousand tons, up by 9.4% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 35.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.6%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 249.3 thousand tons, which saw a decline of 1.6%. In contrast, 2019 posted the largest increase of 25.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(1.6%)	25.6%	9.4%	10.6%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, France, and the United States were the primary destinations for exports in kind. The Netherlands accounted for 33.5% of exports, France for 16.2%, and the United States for 11.2%. Together, these three countries represented 60.9% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

Export value of not defatted cocoa paste from Sub-Saharan Africa has grown for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 1 129 million US dollars, reflecting a 28.9% increase year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value rose by 43.7%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 12.8%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 700 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 11.0%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(11.0%)	25.1%	28.9%	12.8%

Source: SHEV.io

During 2017-2020, the Netherlands, France, and the United States were the main destinations for exports in value terms. The Netherlands held 33.2% of export value, France 16.9%, and the United States 11.3%. Collectively, these three countries made up 61.4% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports not defatted cocoa paste to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, K t

The import market for not defatted cocoa paste in Sub-Saharan Africa showed volatility over the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a 2.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports totaled 1.1 thousand tons, indicating a sharp drop of 14.6% compared to 2019. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 1.7 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 117.6%. Conversely, 2019 experienced the most significant decline of 29.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	117.6%	(29.5%)	(14.6%)	9.4%

Source: SHEV.io

The structure of imports in kind from 2017 to 2020 was diversified, with no single country holding a clearly dominant position. The Netherlands accounted for 14.6% of imports, Singapore for 5.3%, and Malaysia for 2.6%. Together, these three countries represented just 22.5% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

Sub-Saharan Africa imported 19 million US dollars worth of not defatted cocoa paste in 2020, showing a strong increase of 25.8% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 20.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 15 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 8.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	4.2%	(8.4%)	25.8%	6.3%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, imports in value terms were widely dispersed across partner countries. The Netherlands accounted for 14.6% of import value, Singapore for 7.2%, and Malaysia for 3.1%. Together, these three countries represented only 24.9% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io