Colombia’s Cocoa Production and Exports Record Gain in 2021

Published 2022년 3월 25일

Colombian cocoa beans are known for their fine taste, and 95% of the cocoa produced in the country is of premium quality. Currently, the country only manages to produce 1% of the global cocoa beans. Through the support of MoA and Fedecacao-Fondo Nacional del Cacao, however, the country has been increasing their production. In 2021, cocoa production increased by 8.48% over the 2020 volume, and exports also recorded a YoY increase of roughly 7.5%. Historically, the domestic Colombian chocolate industry consumed all its domestic cocoa production. Yet in the last few years, Colombia has expanded its export potential and has become a net exporter of cocoa beans in the world. The country will be able to sustain this position by expanding its current production levels and mining the quality of its cocoa beans.

Although Colombia has always been known for its flavourful coffee beans, the cocoa beans from the country have only started to gain popularity in the last few years. Even though cocoa production has been taking place in the country for a long time now, the country ranks only 10th in global production with just a 1% market share. According to the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO), Colombia is famous for producing and exporting fine or flavored cacao, with 95% of its beans being of premium quality. Since 2020, the World Bank and private companies in Colombia have been working with the Colombian government to expand the potential for cocoa bean production and cultivation.

The Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) is making efforts with different programs to boost cocoa plantations and increase the volume of beans produced in the country. As per Gabriel Mejiagut, Engagement Manager at Tridge, both MoA, and Fedecacao-Fondo Nacional del Cacao are working on 6,500 hectares and 3,000 hectares of land respectively to boost cocoa production in the country. According to Colombia’s MoA, cocoa production in the country has increased by over 66% in the last decade (2011–2021), reaching an output of about 70 thousand mt in 2021. The country also saw a drop in production recorded between 2017 and 2018 due to unfavorable agro-climatic conditions, but the situation started improving to set a record production of 70.20 thousand mt in 2021. The production in 2021 was a YoY increase of 8.48% compared to the 64.28 thousand mt produced in 2020.

Source: Ministry of Agriculture.

Traditionally, the domestic Colombian chocolate industry consumed all its domestic cocoa production. However, the trend has changed over the last few years. Given the high demand for cocoa in the global market and the increase in Colombia’s potential to export, the country has become a net exporter of fine cocoa. The top markets for Colombian cocoa are Mexico, the U.S., Ecuador, the Netherlands, and Germany, which make up over 50% of the market. As for exports in 2021, the country exported 11,310 mt of dry grain cocoa worth about USD 29 million, a YoY increase of 7.5% compared to 2020. Looking at the increase in production and export of Colombian cocoa in 2021, the outlook for 2022 remains positive. The country is likely to increase its production even further to capture more markets as the demand for and prices of cocoa beans continue to increase in the global market.