SADC: Cocoa Bean Market 2025

Cocoa Bean Market Size in SADC

In 2022, the SADC cocoa bean market increased by 40% to $X, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. In general, consumption continues to indicate a strong expansion. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Cocoa Bean Production in SADC

In value terms, cocoa bean production amounted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, enjoyed a buoyant increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 with an increase of 68%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons), Madagascar (X tons) and Tanzania (X tons), with a combined 99% share of total production.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Democratic Republic of the Congo (with a CAGR of +18.9%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The average cocoa bean yield stood at X kg per ha in 2022, approximately equating 2021 figures. Over the period under review, the yield, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 45%. As a result, the yield attained the peak level of X kg per ha. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the cocoa bean yield remained at a somewhat lower figure. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, the harvested area of cocoa beans in SADC declined to X ha, waning by -3.2% compared with the previous year's figure. Overall, the harvested area, however, recorded a strong increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the harvested area increased by 38%. The level of harvested area peaked at X ha in 2021, and then contracted modestly in the following year.

Cocoa Bean Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2022, shipments abroad of cocoa beans decreased by -7.9% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year rising trend. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate resilient growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 with an increase of 68% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2021, and then dropped in the following year.

In value terms, cocoa bean exports shrank to $X in 2022. Overall, exports, however, recorded a prominent increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 78% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2021, and then reduced in the following year.

Exports by Country

Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons) and Madagascar (X tons) represented roughly 79% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Tanzania (X tons), creating a 21% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Democratic Republic of the Congo (with a CAGR of +26.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Democratic Republic of the Congo ($X), Madagascar ($X) and Tanzania ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together accounting for 99.9% of total exports.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Democratic Republic of the Congo, with a CAGR of +30.3%, recorded the highest growth rate of 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

In 2022, the export price in SADC amounted to $X per ton, shrinking by -4.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 an increase of 12%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Madagascar ($X per ton), while Tanzania ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Democratic Republic of the Congo (+2.8%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Cocoa Bean Imports

Imports in SADC

In 2022, overseas purchases of cocoa beans increased by 4.5% to X tons, rising for the fifth year in a row after three years of decline. In general, imports, however, recorded a slight decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 80% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cocoa bean imports expanded significantly to $X in 2022. Overall, imports, however, showed a pronounced setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 68% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Swaziland (X tons) and South Africa (X tons) dominates imports structure, together making up 89% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Madagascar (X tons), achieving a 7.4% share of total imports. Mozambique (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for South Africa (with a CAGR of +36.3%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, South Africa ($X), Swaziland ($X) and Madagascar ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together comprising 97% of total imports.

South Africa, with a CAGR of +31.2%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in SADC amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 5% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, showed a pronounced curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the import price increased by 13% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2018 to 2022, the import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was South Africa ($X per ton), while Mozambique ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Madagascar (-0.6%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform