Global Cocoa and Chocolate Market 2024–2033

Reports Description

The Global Cocoa and chocolate Market was valued at USD 6.10 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 10.86 billion by 2033, at a CAGR of 6.24% during the forecast period 2024 – 2033.

Cocoa, derived from the cacao tree, is a key component of chocolate, cocoa powder, cocoa butter, and other cocoa-based products. Cocoa and chocolate are used in various applications, including confectionery, desserts, beverages, cosmetic treatments, and medical supplements. Increasing sales of chocolate confectionery goods for consumption as comfort food has made them a household staple.

Chocolate is considered a traditional gift for key events and holidays such as Christmas, Easter, Halloween, and Valentine’s Day in the United States and Europe. This practice has expanded to other Asian countries such as India, China, and Japan. Seasonal and festive sales of chocolate goods significantly influence the market since this sector consumes most chocolate products.

Cocoa and Chocolate Market: Growth Factors

Health Benefits Drive Rising Demand for Dark Chocolate in Global Cocoa Market

Chocolate has a long history of being considered a health food. In the 18th century, a chocolate drink was used in England to prevent and treat stomach problems. Nowadays, ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance capability) is used to compare the antioxidant capability of various foods.

Chocolate, along with apples and blueberries, is regarded as having the highest ORAC value. Instead of taking medicine, customers opt to include health-promoting elements in their daily diet. Dark chocolate is gaining popularity among consumers due to its high cocoa content and flavonoids, particularly a subtype known as flavanols, which are associated with a reduced risk of heart disease.

Additionally, those who consume dark chocolate or chocolate with a high cocoa content have a lower chance of developing insulin resistance and high blood pressure. Thus, the health benefits of cocoa and its products are the biggest driver for the cocoa and chocolate market.

Growing Demand for Non-Cocoa Halloween Treats

The growing demand for non-cocoa Halloween goodies presents a significant opportunity for businesses to handle rising cocoa pricing and changing customer preferences. Cocoa prices nearly quadrupled in 2024 owing to severe weather in West Africa, prompting customers to seek more inexpensive alternatives to classic chocolate treats. This opens many opportunities for producers to experiment with non-cocoa treats, including gummies, candies with additives, and confections with little to no cocoa.

Companies may appeal to budget-conscious clients by offering these alternatives, especially around Halloween, when candy consumption in the United States is estimated to reach $3.5 billion. This change enables enterprises to diversify their product portfolios, lessen their dependency on cocoa, and create new product lines that meet changing market demands.

Cocoa and Chocolate Market: Restraints

Rising Cocoa Prices and Supply Shortages

Rising cocoa prices have significantly influenced the global cocoa and chocolate industry, owing mostly to supply restrictions in West Africa, the world’s largest cocoa-producing region. El Niño and dry winds have limited cocoa output, resulting in a price rise starting in 2024.

The drier-than-expected growing season has resulted in an estimated 22.4% decrease in cocoa production in the Ivory Coast, one of the world’s largest chocolate manufacturers. This supply constraint has produced market volatility, with warehouse stockpiles at a 50-year low and cocoa futures prices increasing.

Cocoa and Chocolate Market: Opportunities

Seasonal and Festive-related Sales

In the United States and Europe, chocolate is a customary present for important events and holidays such as Christmas, Easter, Halloween, and Valentine’s Day. This habit has now spread to other Asian nations such as India, China, and Japan, and chocolate sales increase throughout the festive seasons.

Considering the seasonal influence on sales, firms attempting to enter developing economies such as India and China focus on specific items for traditional holidays such as the Chinese New Year, Raksha Bandhan, and Diwali in India. Currently, seasonal and festive sales of chocolate goods have a significant influence on the market since a substantial share of chocolate products are eaten by this sector.

Depending on the occasion, they are made in various forms, sizes, colors, and product materials. Thus, this high demand for chocolates and its products during festivals would enhance the market for cocoa and chocolate.

Large Number of Applications

Chocolate is utilized in various applications, including confectionery, drinks, and baking. Chocolate is quickly becoming popular in the baking industry, with several chocolates being used as a flavour for biscuits, cakes, and pastries. Several product categories are emerging in the global taste market, including energy drinks, yogurt, and dairy beverages.

Additionally, chocolate liquor is commonly employed in creating bittersweet chocolate and baking applications. Cocoa is used in the pharmaceutical business to enhance the flavour of medications and promote customer compliance with dose formats. Furthermore, real cocoa butter is commonly used in cosmetics as a humectant, a lubricant to keep moisture and improve product aroma. These applications of cocoa and chocolate can drive its market in the coming years.

Cocoa and Chocolate Market: Segmentation Analysis

The Global Cocoa and chocolate Market is segmented by product type, application, and region. By product type, dark chocolate dominated the global market and is expected to continue dominating during the forecast period.

The global cocoa and chocolate market is segmented by application into food and beverage, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and other industries. The food and beverage industry leads the global cocoa and chocolate market. This dominance arises from the extensive use of cocoa and chocolate in several products, including confectionery, bread, dairy products, and beverages.

Chocolate, for example, is a key ingredient in a wide range of popular consumer items, including bars, candies, cakes, and cookies, making it a food industry standard. Furthermore, rising demand for premium and artisanal and dark chocolate has accelerated the segment’s growth. Chocolate with a greater cocoa content is becoming increasingly popular among health-conscious consumers due to claims of antioxidant qualities and cardiovascular benefits.

In addition to increased customer demand for tasty and innovative chocolate-based products, seasonal demand around holidays such as Halloween, Christmas, and Valentine’s Day increases the segment’s market share. Cocoa’s flexibility as an ingredient in both sweet and savory food and beverage applications ensures that it will continue to drive the cocoa and chocolate industries. With increased consumer demand and technological advancements, the food and beverage sector is projected to maintain its global dominance.

Report Scope

Cocoa and Chocolate Market: Regional Analysis

The global cocoa and chocolate market is segmented by region into North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and Latin America. North America dominated the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.43% over the projected period.

The increased demand for chocolate in North America drives cocoa growth in the region since cocoa is an essential raw ingredient in chocolate production. The presence of major key players in the North American cocoa and chocolate market, such as Mondelez International (US), Blommer Chocolate (US), Hershey (US), and Mars Inc. (US), is expected to drive the demand for cocoa and chocolate in this region.

The United States has the largest chocolate consumption and production in the North American area. In Canada, chocolate is becoming more expensive due to the rising cost of raw materials, particularly sugar. Still, with the rising popularity of giving chocolates as gifts, Canada will likely see a significant increase in the acceptability of pricey chocolates in the upcoming years. The Mexican chocolate market is expanding due to rising disposable income, booming foreign investment, and an increase in annual chocolate events like the Mexico Chocolate Expo.

The Asia Pacific cocoa and chocolate market is expected to grow substantially during the forecast period. Key countries such as China, India, Japan, ASEAN, South Korea, and Australia are mainly driving the market growth of this region. Various factors such as growing disposable income, growing millennial and Gen Z population, presence of well-established value chains, and growing presence of E-commerce channels are mainly driving the market growth of this region.

The European region is expected to grow substantially during the forecast period due to major key players. Key countries such as France, the U.K., Russia, Spain, Germany, and the Netherlands are mainly driving the market growth of this region. Various factors, such as growing demand for premium chocolate confectionaries and high demand for premium chocolate confectionaries, are mainly driving the market growth of this region.

List of the prominent players in the Cocoa and Chocolate Market:

• Barry Callebaut AG
• Cargill Incorporated
• Olam International Ltd.
• Nestlé S.A.
• The Hershey Company
• Mars Incorporated
• Mondelez International Inc.
• Puratos Group
• Blommer Chocolate Company
• Meiji Holdings Co. Ltd.
• Guittard Chocolate Company
• Ferrero Group
• Lindt & Sprüngli AG
• Cémoi Group
• ECOM Agroindustrial CorporationSG
• Others

The Cocoa and Chocolate Market is segmented as follows:

By Product Type

• Butter
• Liquor
• Powder
• Dark
• Milk
• White
• Filled

By Application

• Food & Beverage
• Cosmetics
• Pharmaceuticals
• Others

Regional Coverage:

North America

• U.S.
• Canada
• Mexico
• Rest of North America

Europe

• Germany
• France
• U.K.
• Russia
• Italy
• Spain
• Netherlands
• Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

• China
• Japan
• India
• New Zealand
• Australia
• South Korea
• Taiwan
• Rest of Asia Pacific

The Middle East & Africa

• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• Egypt
• Kuwait
• South Africa
• Rest of the Middle East & Africa

Latin America

• Brazil
• Argentina
• Rest of Latin America