Which Country Imports the Most Cocoa Beans in the World?

Beverage Crops January 25, 2018

Blog Blog / Agriculture / Beverage Crops

Author: Anna Sergeeva

PositionMarket Analyst

In 2016, the amount of cocoa beans imported worldwide stood at 3.9M tonnes, surging by 6% against the previous year figure. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% from 2007 to 2016; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded over the period under review. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2011, when imports increased by 18% y-o-y. Over the period under review, global cocoa beans imports reached its maximum volume in 2016, and are likely to continue its growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, cocoa beans imports stood at $10B in 2016. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +5.9% over the period from 2007 to 2016; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations in certain years. Over the period under review, global cocoa beans imports reached its maximum level of $11B in 2011; however, from 2012 to 2016, it failed to regain its strength.

Top Cocoa Beans Importing Countries in the World

1. Netherlands (2,554.4 million USD)

2. USA (1,327.7 million USD)

3. Germany (1,095.2 million USD)

4. Belgium (997.1 million USD)

5. Malaysia (653.9 million USD)

6. France (485.5 million USD)

7. Spain (350.0 million USD)

8. Italy (312.3 million USD)

9. Turkey (281.9 million USD)

10. Singapore (269.2 million USD)

11. Ecuador (0.1 million USD)

12. Dominican Republic (0.0 million USD)

Cocoa Beans Imports By Country

In 2016, the Netherlands (819K tonnes), distantly followed by Ecuador (403K tonnes), the U.S. (397K tonnes), Germany (343K tonnes), Belgium (305K tonnes), and Malaysia (214K tonnes) represented the main importers of cocoa beans, together constituting 63% of total imports. France (149K tonnes), Spain (111K tonnes), Italy (94K tonnes), Turkey (87K tonnes), Singapore (87K tonnes), and the Dominican Republic (81K tonnes) held the mild share of total imports.

From 2007 to 2016, average annual rates of growth with regard to cocoa beans imports into the Netherlands stood at +5.2%. At the same time, Ecuador (+18.7%), Belgium (+5.5%), the Dominican Republic (+4.5%), Italy (+4.4%), Turkey (+2.8%), Spain (+1.8%), and the U.S. (+1.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Ecuador emerged as the fastest growing importer/exporter in the world, with a CAGR of +18.7% from 2007-2016. Germany, and Singapore experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, France (-1.7%), and Malaysia (-7.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Malaysia (6%) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global imports, while Belgium, the Netherlands, and Ecuador saw its share reduced by -3.0%, -7.6%, and -8.1% from 2007 to 2016, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($2.6B), the U.S. ($1.3B) and Germany ($1.1B) appeared as the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2016, together comprising 48% of global imports.

The Netherlands (+11.7% per year) had the highest growth rate of cocoa beans imports, in terms of the main importing countries, over the last 9 years, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Cocoa Beans Import Prices By Country

The average cocoa beans import price stood at $2,639 per tonne in 2016, ascending by 4% against the previous year. Over the last nine years it increased at an average annual rate of +4.6%.The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2008, an increase of 26% year-to-year. Over the period under review, average cocoa beans import price reached its maximum level of $2,854 per tonne in 2010; however, from 2011 to 2016, it stood at a somewhat lower level.

There were significant differences in the average import prices amongst major importing countries. In 2016, the country with the highest import prices was the U.S. ($3,344 per tonne), while Ecuador ($0 per kg) was among the lowest.

From 2007 to 2016, the most notable growth rate of cocoa beans import prices was attained by the Netherlands (+6.3% per year), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Do you want to know more about global cocoa beans market? Get the latest trends and insight from our report. It includes a wide range of statistics on