Belgium: Cocoa Paste Market 2025

Cocoa Paste Market Size in Belgium

For the third consecutive year, the Belgian cocoa paste market recorded growth in sales value, which increased by 9.3% to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated buoyant growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +10.1% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption increased by +138.5% against 2012 indices. Cocoa paste consumption peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Cocoa Paste Production in Belgium

In value terms, cocoa paste production declined to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, saw a buoyant expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the production volume increased by 64% against the previous year. Cocoa paste production peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Cocoa Paste Exports

Exports from Belgium

For the third consecutive year, Belgium recorded decline in overseas shipments of cocoa paste, which decreased by -5.2% to X tons in 2021. Over the period under review, total exports indicated perceptible growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports decreased by -21.8% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 34%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cocoa paste exports expanded slightly to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when exports increased by 21% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Sweden (X tons), Canada (X tons) and Norway (X tons) were the main destinations of cocoa paste exports from Belgium, with a combined 50% share of total exports. Poland, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, Russia, Turkey, the UK, Italy, France and the United States lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 44%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Russia (with a CAGR of +52.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Sweden ($X), Canada ($X) and Norway ($X) were the largest markets for cocoa paste exported from Belgium worldwide, with a combined 48% share of total exports. Poland, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, the UK, the United States, Russia, Turkey, France and Italy lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 45%.

Russia, with a CAGR of +54.3%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average cocoa paste export price amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 9.7% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the average export price increased by 20%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the Netherlands ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the United States (+3.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Cocoa Paste Imports

Imports into Belgium

Cocoa paste imports into Belgium reached X tons in 2021, increasing by 7.1% on 2020 figures. In general, total imports indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +7.9% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +98.6% against 2012 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when imports increased by 30% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum in 2021 and are likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

In value terms, cocoa paste imports expanded rapidly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +8.6% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +109.7% against 2012 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when imports increased by 19% against the previous year. Imports peaked in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

In 2021, the Netherlands (X tons) constituted the largest cocoa paste supplier to Belgium, with a 78% share of total imports. Moreover, cocoa paste imports from the Netherlands exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Germany (X tons), sixfold.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from the Netherlands amounted to +10.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (+2.1% per year) and France (+0.2% per year).

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) constituted the largest supplier of cocoa paste to Belgium, comprising 77% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Germany ($X), with a 13% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from the Netherlands stood at +10.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (+3.7% per year) and France (+0.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average cocoa paste import price amounted to $X per ton, growing by 2.4% against the previous year. In general, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the average import price increased by 17%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, 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 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+1.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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