Not defatted cocoa paste market in the United Kingdom

Earlier Report Observations

The UK market for not defatted cocoa paste began a sustained contraction from 2018, when volume stood at 102 474 tons, falling to 65 385 tons by 2021. This represented a decline of over 36% in three years, with a particularly sharp drop occurring in 2021.

From 2022, the downward trend accelerated, with market volume reaching 47 583 tons in 2023. This period was marked by the introduction of stringent EU regulations, including new limits for Ochratoxin A and the Deforestation-free Products Regulation, which increased traceability requirements and restricted market access for non-compliant cocoa. Concurrently, global supply chain disruptions and significant price increases for cocoa beans further constrained import availability and raised costs for UK processors.

Consumer demand increasingly shifted toward certified and sustainable cocoa products during this time, influencing product offerings and prompting innovation from major manufacturers. Factors such as high cocoa prices and ongoing regulatory adjustments continued to shape the market landscape beyond 2023.

Production not defatted cocoa paste in the United Kingdom

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Globally, the United Kingdom ranked as the 11th largest producer of not defatted cocoa paste from 2018 to 2021.

Top producers of not defatted cocoa paste, 2018-2021

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

In 2021, the United Kingdom produced 63 629 tonnes of not defatted cocoa paste, marking a sharp year-over-year decline of 31.6%. Over the 2018-2021 period, production fell by 29.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -11.0%. The highest production level was recorded in 2020 at 92 974 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 14.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021, t

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2021, the output of not defatted cocoa paste in the United Kingdom was valued at 273.2 million US dollars, down 26.5% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, production value decreased by 17.7%, translating to an annualized decline of 6.3%. The peak value occurred in 2020 at 371.8 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual rise of 30.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Exports not defatted cocoa paste from the United Kingdom

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend during this period. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018, while the highest was in 2020, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 9.8 times. In 2021, the United Kingdom's export volume of not defatted cocoa paste was 8 251 tonnes, a 38.8% decrease from the prior year. The maximum volume was reached in 2020 at 13 484 tonnes, and the largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 352.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, three key markets—Ireland, Belgium, and Poland—collectively accounted for 90.1% of the United Kingdom's total exports of not defatted cocoa paste in volume terms.

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

World map of product's exports from the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations throughout the period. The minimum value was recorded in 2018, and the maximum in 2020, with a 10.7-fold difference between them. In 2021, the United Kingdom's export value of not defatted cocoa paste was 35 427 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 34.3% contraction compared to the previous year. The peak value was in 2020 at 53 921 thousand US dollars, and the largest annual increase was in 2019 at 334.0%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Ireland (50.3% of export value), Belgium (25.5%), and Poland (13.2%) consistently led the country structure of exports in value terms, together making up 89.0% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021

Imports not defatted cocoa paste to the United Kingdom

Imports in kind, t

Imported volumes of not defatted cocoa paste into the United Kingdom declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports totaled 10 006 tonnes, a dramatic 30.0% drop from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 26.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.7%. The highest volume was in 2019 at 19 688 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 44.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Côte d'Ivoire (40.6% of import volume), the Netherlands (24.0%), and France (16.4%) were the top contributors to imports in kind, jointly accounting for 81.1% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Imports of not defatted cocoa paste into the United Kingdom fell for the second year in a row. In 2021, imports stood at 42 109 thousand US dollars, a significant 21.7% decrease from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, import value declined by 8.5%, equating to an annualized drop of 2.9%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 70 761 thousand US dollars, with the largest annual increase in 2019 at 53.8% and the largest decline in 2020 at 24.0%.

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

Throughout 2018-2021, Côte d'Ivoire (39.9% of import value), the Netherlands (22.5%), and France (16.7%) formed the core group of partners for imports in value terms of not defatted cocoa paste to the United Kingdom, collectively representing 79.1% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021