Belgium: Cocoa Butter Market 2025

Cocoa Butter Market Size in Belgium

After four years of growth, the Belgian cocoa butter market decreased by -15.1% to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Cocoa butter consumption peaked at $X in 2021, and then shrank significantly in the following year.

Cocoa Butter Production in Belgium

In value terms, cocoa butter production shrank rapidly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, recorded a pronounced expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 46%. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Cocoa Butter Exports

Exports from Belgium

In 2022, overseas shipments of cocoa butter decreased by -66.7% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after four years of growth. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a abrupt curtailment. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 410% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cocoa butter exports contracted markedly to $X in 2022. In general, exports, however, enjoyed a slight increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 356%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Germany (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons) and France (X tons) were the main destinations of cocoa butter exports from Belgium, together accounting for 60% of total exports. Estonia, Russia, Italy, China, Spain, Poland, the United States, Vietnam, the UK and Turkey lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 28%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Estonia (with a CAGR of +64.2%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X), France ($X) and the Netherlands ($X) were the largest markets for cocoa butter exported from Belgium worldwide, with a combined 58% share of total exports. Estonia, Russia, Italy, China, the UK, Spain, the United States, Poland, Vietnam and Turkey lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 27%.

Among the main countries of destination, Estonia, with a CAGR of +62.0%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average cocoa butter export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, with an increase of 12% against the previous year. In general, export price indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +7.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 an increase of 56% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the UK ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Estonia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the Netherlands (+10.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Cocoa Butter Imports

Imports into Belgium

In 2022, after six years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas purchases of cocoa butter, when their volume decreased by -14.9% to X tons. Overall, total imports indicated a moderate increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 18% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2021, and then shrank in the following year.

In value terms, cocoa butter imports fell significantly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, total imports indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +7.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports decreased by -25.6% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 58% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2022, the Netherlands (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of cocoa butter to Belgium, with a 60% share of total imports. Moreover, cocoa butter imports from the Netherlands exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, France (X tons), threefold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume from the Netherlands amounted to +5.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: France (-0.4% per year) and Germany (+17.5% per year).

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) constituted the largest supplier of cocoa butter to Belgium, comprising 59% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by France ($X), with a 22% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value from the Netherlands stood at +8.7%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: France (+3.6% per year) and Germany (+21.5% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average cocoa butter import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, which is down by -10.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import price indicated a notable increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, cocoa butter import price decreased by -20.9% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the average import price increased by 66%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2022, the average import prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was France ($X per ton), while the price for Germany ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (+3.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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