Cocoa Powder Market Size – By Product Type, By Cocoa Variety, By End Use Industry, Growth Forecast, 2025-2034

Cocoa Powder Market Size

The cocoa powder market size was estimated at USD 22.2 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.8% from 2025 to 2034, owing to increasing demand for chocolate and confectionary items all over the globe. Cocoa powder is a versatile ingredient used in a wide variety of desserts, from rich chocolate cakes to creamy mousse and silky pudding. Cocoa powder is a staple for bakeries because it is the primary ingredient in most chocolate-flavored cakes, pastries, and cookies.
 

The extensive use of cocoa powder in bakery, dairy, food, and beverage industries further adds to its market penetration. Additionally, rising demand among consumers for healthier and naturally derived food constituents together with the functional advantages of cocoa like its antioxidant nature very much helps bolster the market in the upcoming period.
 

In 2024, Europe was the overall market leader of cocoa powder with a share of 40.9%. This was followed by North America with 23.7%, and Asia Pacific with 18.7%. Asia Pacific region stands out as the most rapidly developing market because of the growing demand in emerging economies of China and India. Furthermore, health-conscious consumers also showed remarkable growth in the use of natural cocoa powder, particularly those who prefer least processed items.
 

On the downside, the market has to deal with the issues of climactic turbulence and geopolitical strife which adversely affects the supply and cost stability of cocoa beans. If the market dips, there is little doubt that the market will shift toward premium and organic attributes of cocoa which would still ensure profit, thus presenting opportunity for innovation.
 

For instance, according to the UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development) commodities price monitoring report, the price of cocoa has surged by 136% between July 2022 and February 2024. These fluctuations, in turn, make it difficult to predict the final cost of production.
 

Cocoa Powder Market Trends

• Extensive health benefits: Cocoa powder provides lots of benefits, especially if cocoa powder is at least 72% cocoa. Cocoa powder is rich in antioxidants called polyphenols. These natural chemicals are great for cardiovascular and overall health. They can help moderate cholesterol and support your blood vessels. They also can lower inflammation and may help prevent cancer. Additionally, cocoa powder contains iron, zinc, and selenium. These minerals help your body function and boost your immune system. Overall, cocoa powder is rich in theobromine, which helps reduce inflammation and can protect you from diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
   
• Growing demand for chocolate: The consumption of chocolate is far from an emerging trend. In fact, the cultivation of cocoa beans dates to the Mayans, when the inhabitants of the ancient civilization harvested the crop for a ritual beverage that was shared during betrothal and marriage ceremonies. From the last few centuries, chocolate has been a ubiquitous treat enjoyed throughout countless generations. However, the chocolate industry is facing imminent demands far greater than ever before. Thus, growing demand for chocolate is expected to assist the demand for cocoa powder industry in the forecast period.
   
• Developing innovative approaches that fulfill food security with sustainable practices: Cocoa sustainability practices stem from cocoa’s basin of production that undertake unfocused needs which comprise an empty environmental and unethical sourcing gap. Introducing sweetening agents from the cocoa pod is a new idea towards reducing the waste while offering alternative income options for farmers. At the ETH Zurich, scientists developed a technique of utilizing cocoa pulp as a natural sweetener which could help reduce production costs and increase sustainability. This not only helps in addressing the production's concern but also caters to the emerging need for environmentally friendly and socially responsible products.
   
• Potential use of industrial cocoa waste in biofuel production: The wastes derived from food production is generated in elevated volumes annually. In particular, the cocoa industrial wastes represent a source of usable biomass for the elaboration of new products such as food, livestock feed, cosmetics, and chemical products, and they can even be used for the generation of biofuels. The cocoa industrial wastes include cocoa pod husk, mucilage, and bean shells, which contain compounds of interest for different industries. However, the lignocellulose content of these by-products require pretreatment to fully utilize them; thus, different biofuels can be produced, depending on the conversion technology used to obtain the highest biomass yield.
   

Cocoa Powder Market Analysis

Based on product type, the cocoa powder market is divided into natural cocoa powder, dutch-processed cocoa powder, blended cocoa powder, cocoa rouge. Natural cocoa powder segment generated a revenue of USD 8.7 billion in 2024 and USD 13.4 billion in 2034 at a CAGR of 4.4% due to the increasing use of natural, and less processed ingredients, which reflects an increasing trend towards healthier options.
 

• Natural cocoa powder contains only roasted cocoa beans. It has an acidic, bitter taste with little sweetness. It is light brown and often used along with baking soda. Consumers and manufacturers wish to satisfy clean label requirements favor natural cocoa powder made from unprocessed cocoa beans because it keeps its natural taste and nutrition value.
   
• Natural cocoa powders’ dominant market position can further be attributed to its multifunctionality. Unsweetened natural cocoa powder is a pulverized high-grade powder of compressed solid blocks which remain after extraction and removal of the cocoa butter. Additionally, natural cocoa powder is made from pure cocoa beans that are simply roasted and ground. Baked goods made with natural cocoa powder are a lighter, more reddish brown than ones made with dutch-process.
   
• Pure and natural cocoa powder is slightly acidic, with a PH level ranging from 5.3 to 5.8. This acidity is a favorable trait in many recipes since it affects the taste and activates the leavening agents. Natural cocoa powder has a more intense flavor and is a lighter brown color. The final chocolate product will also have a nice light brown color akin to a bar of milk chocolate.
   
• The solid taste serves as a fundamental component in more beverages, confectioneries, and even baked goods. To satisfy consumer’s growing appetite for deeper chocolate flavor, more manufacturers are using natural cocoa powder in their products.
   

Based on cocoa variety, the cocoa powder market is divided into criollo, forastero, trinitario, and nacional. In 2024, Criollo segment held major market share, accounted for 75.4% share due to distinctive flavour of criollo cocoa beans.
 

• Criollo cocoa is rare as only about 5% of the world’s cacao production is made with criollo. This type of cacao can be compared to fine wine in terms of its flavor profile, which is refined and complex at the same time. Share of criollo cocoa beans in global production is alarmingly small owing to susceptibility and lower yield as compared to other cocoa varieties. As these factors add up, premium chocolate manufacturers consider these beans rare, taking advantage of their high market value.
   
• Criollo cocoa contained considerable amounts of α-limonene, β-caryophyllene, β-myrcene, α-phellandrene, β-linalool, and acetic acid. While hunting for ingredients to meet the ever-growing market demand for exquisite chocolate, the suppliers of fine chocolates tend to purchase Criollo beans and associate them with luxury confectionery.
   

Based on end use industry the cocoa powder market is divided into food and beverage, cosmetics and personal care, pharmaceutical, nutraceuticals, others (dyes, inks, coatings). Food and beverage segment generated a revenue of USD 13.1 billion in 2024, and it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.5%. This segment held substantial market share of 59.1% market in 2024.
 

• Cocoa powder finds its primary application in the food and beverage industry, which is the largest consumer of cocoa powder. Apart from chocolates, cocoa powder is widely used in bakery products, dairy products, beverages, and desserts, all of which assist in boosting demand for the food and beverage industry. Furthermore, it can be used in a variety of baked goods, such as cakes, brownies, and cookies. It may be used as a substitute for some of the flour in the recipe with Cocoa powder to create a healthier, chocolatey version of various desserts.
   
• This dominance can be attributed to many reasons. The demand for food products flavored with chocolate makes sure that cocoa powder is on constant demand throughout the year. In addition, the middle-class population in developing economies especially in China, India and Brazil have further increased the demand for cocoa and chocolate products.
   

The U.S. cocoa powder market generated a revenue of USD 4.5 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.8% reaching USD 6.5 billion by 2034 as it is driven by increased the consumption of chocolate products per capita.
 

• The U.S. is the second-largest importer of cocoa from Cote d'Ivoire after the Netherlands and a major importer of Dutch cocoa products. According to recent studies, in relation to total population figures, the average revenue per capita, at home of USD 5.5 are generated in 2025. Furthermore, Cocoa prices have already become extremely volatile due to drastic changes in weather, resulting in cake and coffee fields doubling in price within the year.
   

The cocoa powder market in China is expected to experience promising growth from 2025 to 2034 due to growth of increasing consumption within the country.
 

• The cocoa powder market in China has developed because of the increasing popularity of chocolate and its products. The consumption of chocolate in China has been low, but the acceptance of chocolate and cocoa products has increased due to globalization and an increase in disposable incomes.
   
• Additionally, Asia Pacific’s processing of cocoa beans, used as an indicator of demand, jumped by about 30% in the three years to the end of 2018, and continued that trajectory in the first half of this year, as growing affluence and changing lifestyles boost consumption of cocoa products. The cocoa processors, also known as grinders, turn the cocoa beans into cocoa mass, cocoa butter, and cocoa powder, which is used to make chocolate bars, drinks, ice cream and biscuits.
   

Cocoa Powder Market Share

Top 5 companies in the cocoa powder industry are Olam Cocoa, Barry Callebaut, Cargill, JB Foods Limited, and Blommer Chocolate Company. The market for cocoa powder is highly competitive. Leading players such as Olam Cocoa, Barry Callebaut, and Blommer Chocolate Company focus on positioning themselves in the industry by pursuing a range of strategies, including mergers and acquisitions, product diversification, and sustainable practices.
 

Price competition alongside product quality, innovation, and sustainability are distinguishing features of the cocoa powder market. Acquisitions are an effective way for companies to increase their market power as well as their reach. The acquisition of Cargill’s cocoa business by Barry Callebaut in 2023 made him the largest player in chocolate and cocoa market worldwide. With some products, innovation and development are crucial. Companies spend money on finding new ways to make their offerings healthier and more ethically compliant. Sustainability is a big focus now, where consumers expect brands to be socially responsible and look beyond profit when bringing products to the market.
 

Cocoa Powder Market Companies

Some of the eminent market participants operating in the cocoa powder industry include:

• Barry Callebaut
• Belcolade
• Blommer
• Cargill
• Cocoa Processing Company
• Cocoacraft
• Indcresa
• JB Foods
• Newtown Foods USA
• Olam Cocoa
• Plot Enterprise
   

Olam Cocoa is the largest supplier of cocoa powder in the world. The company integrates supply chain processes by sourcing cocoa and distributing the processed products. Having a robust foothold in major cocoa growing zones like Ghana and Ivory Coast, Olam Cocoa champions sustainable practices through its “Cocoa Compass” initiative that seeks to eradicate child labor and secure a living wage for farmers by 2030.
 

Olam also owns deZaan, a brand famous around the world to produce high-quality cocoa powders for the confectionery, bakery, and beverage industries. Olam's leadership position in the market has been solidified by the company’s expansion into numerous countries through global processing plants and other strategic mergers and has made the company a market leader.
 

Barry Callebaut is one of the major companies in the cocoa powder market. It is vertically integrated supply chain includes European, African, and American processing centers where high-quality cocoa beans are sourced. Barry Callebaut is known for its innovation, being one of the first to create premium cocoa powders with clean labels and sustainable branding under Bensdorp. Sustainability programs aimed at reducing carbon impact and improving income for farmers and other stakeholders are also commendable. Market leadership achieved through acquisitions such as GKC Foods in Australia has allowed the company to be a frontrunner in sustainable and high-quality cocoa powder manufacturing.
 

Cocoa Powder Industry News:

• In October 2024, Cargill launched new cocoa production line in Indonesia to meet growing Asian consumers’ demand for indulgent foods. Cargill’s cocoa processing plant in Gresik, the new line brings innovation capabilities and competitiveness to customers in the bakery, ice cream and chocolate confectionery categories, as well as for the café-style beverages in foodservice.
   
• In October 2024, California Cultured, a startup pioneering plant cell culture to produce cacao, has received an undisclosed investment from Sparkalis, the food tech venture arm of the Belgian international group Puratos.
   
• In November 2022, Barry Callebaut announced the groundbreaking of its third manufacturing facility in India. The new chocolate and compound factory will be in the Ghiloth industrial area, in the city of Neemrana, about 120 km southwest of Delhi.
   
• In September 2020, Olam Cocoa launched its Olam Cocoa for Professionals, a new business venture delivering its premium deZaan cocoa powders to restaurants, caterers, and patisseries for the first time.
   

The cocoa powder market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry, with estimates & forecast in terms of revenue (USD Billion) & volume (Kilo Tons) from 2021 to 2034, for the following segments:

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Market, By Product Type

• Natural cocoa powder
• Dutch-processed cocoa powder
• Blended cocoa powder
• Cocoa rouge

Market, By Cocoa Variety

• Criollo
• Forastero
• Trinitario
• Nacional

Market, By End Use Industry

• Food and beverage
• Cosmetics and personal care
• Pharmaceutical
• Nutraceuticals
• Others (dyes, inks, coatings)

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America 
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe 
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Spain
  • Italy
  • Netherlands
• Asia Pacific 
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • Australia
  • South Korea
• Latin America 
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
• Middle East and Africa 
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • UAE