Not defatted cocoa paste market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The West European not defatted cocoa paste market entered a phase of diversification from 2018, marked by the emergence of new organic segments. Divine Chocolate launched its first organic chocolate bars, while fairafric opened West Africa's first dedicated organic chocolate factory in 2019, signaling a shift towards specialty cocoa. During this period, the market volume in kind fluctuated, declining to 1 035 K t in 2019 before recovering to 1 080 K t in 2020. In value terms, the market grew steadily to $4 799 M by 2020, reflecting early premiumization trends.

Market conditions stabilized in 2021-2022, with production peaking at 1 237 K t in 2021, supported by steady consumer demand evidenced by a per capita cocoa mass consumption of 2.7 kg in Germany. The market volume remained consistent at around 1 093-1 098 K t, though its value dipped to $4 388 M in 2022, indicating a temporary adjustment in price levels after the previous growth.

A severe supply crisis reshaped the market from 2023 onward. Widespread harvest failures in West Africa, due to fungal diseases, reduced global cocoa output by 40-50%, slashing the regional market volume to 1 021 K t. Consequently, cocoa prices surged to historic highs, elevating the market value to $5 136 M in 2023. This pressure intensified in 2024 with a 73.4% year-on-year jump in cocoa bean import prices and the impending EU deforestation regulation, which raised supply chain costs and reinforced a high-price environment across the industry.

Production not defatted cocoa paste in Western Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of not defatted cocoa paste, 2017-2020

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

Western Europe's production of not defatted cocoa paste declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 1 067 K t, which was 2.0% lower than in 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production actually grew by 8.6%, averaging 2.8% per year. The highest output was recorded in 2018 at 1 090 K t, with the largest annual increase of 10.9% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Europe in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Western Europe's production value of not defatted cocoa paste increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 4 684 M $ US, representing a significant gain of 17.5% compared to 2019. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 28.4%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 8.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Europe in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports not defatted cocoa paste from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of not defatted cocoa paste from Western Europe fell for the third year in a row. In 2020, export volume totaled 295.5 K t, showing a modest decline of 3.6% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 6.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Western Europe in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, exports of not defatted cocoa paste from Western Europe were not heavily concentrated on a few key markets. Poland accounted for 9.3% of exports in kind, Italy for 8.4%, and Ukraine for 3.6%. Together, these three countries represented only 21.4% of total export flows, indicating a diverse distribution.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Western Europe's export value of not defatted cocoa paste increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 1 297 M $ US, marking a substantial rise of 15.6% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 10.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 099 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 6.7% that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Western Europe in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, exports in value terms of not defatted cocoa paste from Western Europe were spread across a wide range of markets. Poland contributed 9.1% of the total export value, Italy 8.6%, and the United Kingdom 3.5%. Combined, these three destinations accounted for just 21.3% of total flows, highlighting a broad market diversification.

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

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

Imports not defatted cocoa paste to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, imports of not defatted cocoa paste into Western Europe rebounded in 2020. The region imported approximately 308.6 K t, representing a strong increase of 22.2% compared to the previous year. However, over the full period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 6.5%, averaging a decline of 2.2% per year. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 252.5 K t, which also experienced the largest drop of 21.5% that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Western Europe in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, and Switzerland were notable suppliers of not defatted cocoa paste to Western Europe, but their combined share was not dominant. Côte d'Ivoire accounted for 33.1% of imports in kind, Ghana for 10.6%, and Switzerland for 2.7%. Together, they represented 46.4% of total imports, indicating a relatively diversified supply base.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Western Europe's import value of not defatted cocoa paste increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 1 412 M $ US, showing a substantial improvement of 14.4% over 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value rose by 10.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.3%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 1 191 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 7.1% that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Western Europe in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In the period from 2017 to 2020, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, and Switzerland were among the largest suppliers of not defatted cocoa paste to Western Europe in value terms. Côte d'Ivoire accounted for 31.6% of imports, Ghana for 9.8%, and Switzerland for 3.5%. Even combined, they represented just 44.8% of total imports, underscoring a broadly diversified partner network.

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

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