Cocoa and chocolate market in Latin America - statistics & facts

Originally native to the Yucatan valley of Mexico, cocoa and its beans were discovered by the Mayans more than 2000 years BC. They considered it a plant of divine origin and – from the Toltecs to the Aztecs, most South American civilizations associated it with important moments in life.
Nowadays, unlike coffee, cocoa produced in Latin and South America accounts for only a small share of the world’s production. Indeed, most of the world’s cocoa is grown in Africa. The Americas rank second on the podium, with Ecuador and Brazil as the two main producing countries of these precious beans.

Challenges...

The cocoa market in Latin America is both dynamic and complex. It is influenced by many factors such as global demand, government policies, and weather conditions, which is usually accompanied by its sidekick: climate change. Concerns about the environmental impact of cocoa production in the region have led to various initiatives promoting sustainable agricultural practices as well as fairer wages for local producers.

... and successes

In 2021, organic cocoa was the second-largest type of organic crop in the region. The rise in popularity of fairtrade products has also led Latin American producers to focus more on quality rather than quantity. The region is home to unique varieties of cocoa trees such as the “arriba nacional” in Ecuador. Incidentally, the latter was among the world’s leading cocoa exporters in 2021. This focus on quality is one of the reasons why the trade balance of Latin American cocoa has remained positive throughout the years.
This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.
Published by P. Navarro Villa, Mar 14, 2024

Key insights

Cocoa and chocolate market value forecast for 2026 in Latin America
20.1bn USD
Third-largest producer of cocoa beans worldwide
Ecuador
Trade balance for the cocoa market in Latin America and the Caribbean
879.38m USD
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Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Cocoa and chocolate market value in Latin America from 2021 to 2026 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Snacks

Latin America: cocoa and chocolate market revenue 2021-2026

Exports of cocoa and cocoa preparations from Latin America and the Caribbean from 2010 to 2021 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Food & Nutrition

Latin America & Caribbean: cocoa export value 2010-2021

Production of cocoa beans in Brazil from 2012/2013 to 2022/2023 (in 1,000 metric tons)

Crop Production

Brazil: production of cocoa beans 2012-2023

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