EU: Cocoa Bean Market 2025

Cocoa Bean Market Size in the EU

In 2022, the EU cocoa bean market decreased by -21% to $X for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Over the period under review, consumption showed a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2017 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Cocoa Bean Production in the EU

In value terms, cocoa bean production rose modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production saw a significant contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the production volume increased by 143%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Lithuania (X kg) and Bulgaria (X kg).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the key producing countries, was attained by Bulgaria (with a CAGR of -0.6%).

Cocoa Bean Exports

Exports in the EU

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in shipments abroad of cocoa beans, when their volume decreased by -60.2% to X tons. In general, exports showed a deep contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 96%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2021, and then dropped markedly in the following year.

In value terms, cocoa bean exports contracted sharply to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a abrupt slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 107%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2021, and then shrank dramatically in the following year.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands dominates exports structure, resulting at X tons, which was approx. 76% of total exports in 2022. Belgium (X tons) took a 9.4% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Estonia (8.7%). Germany (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

The Netherlands experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of cocoa beans. Germany (-4.0%), Estonia (-11.7%) and Belgium (-17.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of the Netherlands (+33 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2022, the share of Estonia (-8.4 p.p.) and Belgium (-25.2 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) remains the largest cocoa bean supplier in the European Union, comprising 73% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Belgium ($X), with a 10% share of total exports. It was followed by Estonia, with a 9.3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in the Netherlands totaled -1.9%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Belgium (-17.7% per year) and Estonia (-12.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2022, reducing by -12.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price continues to indicate a slight downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the export price increased by 12%. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in Germany ($X per ton) and Belgium ($X per ton), while the Netherlands ($X per ton) and Estonia ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+1.4%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Cocoa Bean Imports

Imports in the EU

After two years of growth, supplies from abroad of cocoa beans decreased by -22.5% to X tons in 2022. Overall, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 12%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2021, and then contracted markedly in the following year.

In value terms, cocoa bean imports shrank markedly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports recorded a slight contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 17%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2021, and then declined dramatically in the following year.

Imports by Country

The Netherlands represented the major importer of cocoa beans in the European Union, with the volume of imports amounting to X tons, which was approx. 44% of total imports in 2022. Germany (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 19% share, followed by France (11%), Belgium (8.3%), Italy (6.4%) and Spain (5.9%). Austria (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

The Netherlands experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of cocoa beans. At the same time, Austria (+10.8%), France (+2.8%) and Italy (+1.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Austria emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the European Union, with a CAGR of +10.8% from 2012-2022. Spain experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Germany (-2.1%) and Belgium (-4.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of the Netherlands and France increased by +3.7 and +2.8 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported cocoa beans in the European Union, comprising 40% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Germany ($X), with a 19% share of total imports. It was followed by France, with a 12% share.

In the Netherlands, cocoa bean imports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (-3.2% per year) and France (+1.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, waning by -14.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw a mild downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the import price increased by 16% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Italy ($X per ton) and France ($X per ton), while the Netherlands ($X per ton) and Spain ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Austria (-0.1%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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