Japan: Cocoa Paste Market 2025

Cocoa Paste Market Size in Japan

The Japanese cocoa paste market shrank modestly to $X in 2021, reducing by -2.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption recorded a mild slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 6.5%. Cocoa paste consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Cocoa Paste Production in Japan

In value terms, cocoa paste production reduced modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a noticeable decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 8.4% against the previous year. Cocoa paste production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Cocoa Paste Exports

Exports from Japan

In 2021, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in shipments abroad of cocoa paste, when their volume decreased by -16.2% to X tons. Overall, exports showed a abrupt curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 91% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cocoa paste exports contracted markedly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports saw a deep reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 98%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

China (X tons) was the main destination for cocoa paste exports from Japan, accounting for a 94% share of total exports. Moreover, cocoa paste exports to China exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons), more than tenfold.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to China stood at +37.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Taiwan (Chinese) (+7.5% per year) and South Korea (-36.5% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) remains the key foreign market for cocoa paste exports from Japan, comprising 92% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Taiwan (Chinese) ($X), with a 5.5% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to China stood at +36.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Taiwan (Chinese) (+7.3% per year) and South Korea (-37.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average cocoa paste export price amounted to $X per ton, declining by -5.5% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a pronounced decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the average export price increased by 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied somewhat for the major foreign markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Taiwan (Chinese) ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to China ($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 Taiwan (Chinese) (-0.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Cocoa Paste Imports

Imports into Japan

In 2021, supplies from abroad of cocoa paste was finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% 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 decreased by -10.5% against 2018 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when imports increased by 21% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cocoa paste imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. In general, total imports indicated a measured expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 33% against the previous year. Imports peaked in 2021 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Malaysia (X tons), Ghana (X tons) and Ecuador (X tons) were the main suppliers of cocoa paste imports to Japan, with a combined 79% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Cote d'Ivoire, the Netherlands, Indonesia, Germany and Singapore, which together accounted for a further 18%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Germany (with a CAGR of +178.4%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Malaysia ($X), Ghana ($X) and Ecuador ($X) appeared to be the largest cocoa paste suppliers to Japan, with a combined 77% share of total imports. Cote d'Ivoire, the Netherlands, Germany, Indonesia and Singapore lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 18%.

In terms of the main suppliers, Germany, with a CAGR of +147.9%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average cocoa paste import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 2.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 15%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the countries with the highest prices were the Netherlands ($X per ton) and Germany ($X per ton), while the price for Indonesia ($X per ton) and Ghana ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Cote d'Ivoire (+1.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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