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Global Trade Flows

Cocoa beans are produced around the world in countries along the equator.

Slightly under half of the world’s cocoa bean production is processed in the same country where it was harvested, with the remainder being exported for processing. The main producers are Ivory Coast and Ghana in Africa. Production in Ecuador in South America is rising. Europe is both the largest total importer of cocoa and the largest processing region.

Sucden’s main activities in the cocoa market involve the safe transport of cocoa beans from their country of harvest to overseas processors.

MAIN GLOBAL TRADE FLOWS, COCOA BEANS 2022-2023

Note: Country and region figures are estimates for total production / exports. Discrepancies between total cocoa bean productions and total cocoa bean trade flows (indicated by arrows) are due to significant grinding at origin and to minor cocoa bean trade flows which are not shown on the map.