Not defatted cocoa paste market in the United States

Earlier Report Observations

The U.S. market for not defatted cocoa paste saw considerable volume fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. After a brief contraction in 2019, market volume recovered to 350 thousand tons in 2020. This increase coincided with an 11.5% rise in global cocoa paste exports that year, enhanced by strong supply from major producing nations like Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana, which supported greater import availability into the United States.

Market volume surged to a peak of 406 thousand tons in 2021 before declining over the next two years, falling to 286 thousand tons by 2023. In the latter part of the period, the market environment shifted markedly: U.S. import prices for cocoa paste rose sharply in 2024 as worldwide cocoa prices reached historic highs. Concurrently, consumer preferences increasingly moved toward premium, clean-label, and fortified cocoa products, while leading manufacturers such as Barry Callebaut responded by launching new health-oriented defatted cocoa powders.

Production not defatted cocoa paste in the United States

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, the United States ranked as the 5th largest producer of not defatted cocoa paste from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of not defatted cocoa paste, 2017-2020

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

The United States saw its production of not defatted cocoa paste decline for the third year in a row. In 2020, output reached 287.7 K t, marking a slight decrease of 0.6% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 16.5%, with an annualized decline rate of 5.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Production of not defatted cocoa paste in the United States dropped for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the value of this output was 1 099 M $ US, reflecting a modest reduction of 6.1% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value decreased by 28.1%, which translates to an annualized rate of 10.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports not defatted cocoa paste from the United States

Exports in kind, t

Following a two-year decline, the United States experienced an increase in its exports of not defatted cocoa paste. In 2020, exports totaled 15 413 t, representing a sharp rise of 25.4% over 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 7.1%, with an annualized decline of 2.4%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 12 293 t, which also saw the largest drop of 20.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Canada accounted for 87.5% of total exports in volume, while the remaining flows were spread across a diverse group of smaller countries.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of losses, the United States saw an uptick in cross-border shipments of not defatted cocoa paste. In 2020, exports amounted to 58.9 M $ US, indicating a strong increase of 18.4% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 20%, with an annualized decline rate of 7.2%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 49.7 M $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 22.7%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Canada dominated the export partner structure in value terms, holding an 83.5% share of total flows, while other markets had relatively modest shares.

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

World map of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020

Imports not defatted cocoa paste to the United States

Imports in kind, t

The United States recorded a third consecutive year of growth in its imports of not defatted cocoa paste. In 2020, imports reached 77 944 t, showing a significant increase of 67.4% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports surged by 159.2%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 37.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Côte d'Ivoire (57.5% of imports in volume), Ghana (17.2%), and Ecuador (9.5%) were the main sources in the geographical breakdown of not defatted cocoa paste imports to the United States, together accounting for 84.2% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Imports of not defatted cocoa paste into the United States grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 311.2 M $ US, reflecting an intense increase of 81.5% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 189.2%, with an annualized growth rate of 42.5%.

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

In 2017-2020, Côte d'Ivoire (55.8% of imports in value), Ghana (16.3%), and Ecuador (10.3%) remained the principal suppliers of not defatted cocoa paste to the United States, jointly making up 82.3% of total import value.

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

World map of product's imports to the United States in value, 2017-2020