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The North America cocoa market was valued at USD 2.67 Billion in 2025 and is anticipated to witness steady growth driven by rising demand across the food and beverage industry.
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The USA is the world’s 2nd largest importer of cocoa butter, which cost the nation $598 million in 2022.
Increasing investments by African cocoa companies in North America are expected to drive the market growth.
The USA is expected to witness an increasing demand for cocoa desserts, which can favourably impact the market growth.
The North America cocoa market is driven by strong consumer demand, product innovation, and sustainable sourcing. A major factor in this growth is the high chocolate consumption per person in the United States and Canada. Cocoa products are important for daily snacking, desserts, and seasonal gift-giving. The market also benefits from changing consumer preferences for premium, artisanal, and ethically sourced products.
There is increasing demand for single-origin, organic, and Fairtrade-certified cocoa, especially among Millennials and Gen Z consumers who value transparency and sustainability when they shop. This trend has led manufacturers to reformulate their products with higher cocoa content, clean-label ingredients, and functional additions like probiotics and antioxidants. Also, the rise in health-conscious and plant-based food options is boosting the demand for cocoa powder and cocoa-derived ingredients in protein bars, dairy alternatives, and low-sugar or keto-friendly snacks. From a supply chain perspective, North America is investing in new technology like blockchain traceability and precision roasting to enhance product quality and build consumer trust. All these factors position North America as a valuable consumer market and a leader in cocoa product innovation and ethical sourcing.
Several trends and developments are being observed in the market to enhance the current situation. Some of the noteworthy trends are as follows:
The North America cocoa market is increasingly affected by global supply issues and cocoa price fluctuations, creating challenges for manufacturers, importers, and retailers throughout the value chain. The region relies heavily on cocoa imports, mainly from West Africa. Any disruptions in supply from major producing countries, like Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, directly impact both availability and pricing in North America.
Recent events such as climate-related crop failures, plant disease outbreaks, ageing trees, and regulations in producing areas have greatly limited the global cocoa supply. This has led to significant price hikes, especially for cocoa butter and liquor, which are essential for North American candy, bakery, and beverage makers. Additionally, changes in currency, trade policies, and shipping delays have added uncertainty and complicated procurement methods and long-term pricing strategies for buyers in the U.S. and Canada. In response, companies are increasingly looking for alternative sources in Latin America, such as Ecuador and Brazil, and diversifying their supplier networks to reduce risk.
Cocoa availability in North America is facing several challenges. In West Africa, changing weather patterns, intense heat, and crop diseases have significantly reduced yields. For example, cocoa production in Ivory Coast dropped by 40% in 2024, while Ghana experienced similar declines. Communities in southern Mexico are also struggling; droughts have cut yields by 50%.
Another concern is the ageing population of cocoa farmers. Many older farmers are retiring, and younger people are moving to cities for jobs. This trend has created a shortage of labour and knowledge in cocoa farming. The situation affects not only the quantity of cocoa but also its quality, as inconsistent farming practices impact the beans. In summary, these issues can result in higher costs and uncertainty in the future of cocoa sourcing.
The Expert Market Research’s report titled “North America cocoa Market Report and Forecast 2026-2035” offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:
Market Breakup by Type
Cocoa butter demand in North America is steadily increasing. This rise is due to its important role in food and non-food industries, particularly in premium chocolate production, functional foods, personal care, and pharmaceuticals. A key factor behind this growth is the ongoing popularity of premium and artisanal chocolate. Cocoa butter is appreciated for its excellent mouthfeel, smooth texture, and melting qualities. As consumers shift towards high-quality, indulgent chocolate with more cocoa content, manufacturers are using more cocoa butter to satisfy these taste expectations.
Additionally, the growing demand for natural and plant-based personal care products is significantly boosting cocoa butter use in cosmetics and skincare. Cocoa butter is known for its moisturizing and antioxidant benefits, making it a popular ingredient in lotions, lip balms, and therapeutic creams. This trend shows a broader consumer preference for clean-label and naturally derived ingredients in beauty and wellness products.
Market Breakup by Application
In North America, a swift increase has been witnessed in the utilisation of cocoa in the F&B sector. This change is being shaped by consumer preferences, product innovations, and demand for foods that are both luxurious and functional. Cocoa was once largely limited to chocolate treats, but now the market has moved on to using cocoa in alternative ways in bakery products, dairy desserts, plant-based drinks, breakfast cereals, protein snacks, and RTD products.
An important factor fueling the growth of the market is the change in consumer attitude toward premium and clean-label health products. Cocoa is indeed considered a healthy, plant-based ingredient loaded with antioxidants and compounds that confer mood enhancement, especially in its natural or near-natural forms. That has accounted for its popularity in wellness products such as dark chocolate granola, cocoa protein shakes, and low-sugar dairy alternatives.
Market Breakup by Country
The United States is at the top of the North American market for cocoa, considering the increased population of chocolate consumers plus the increasing number of processing units. Big companies like Hershey, Mars, and Mondelez keep the demand for cocoa beans and products high in USA. In this country, vast cocoa processing units provide a very efficient supply chain. Also, people are slowly turning towards premium, organic, and dark chocolate, which pushes the demand further up. In addition, with a very strong retail market and online presence, everything from your regular chocolate bars to chocolates with gold dusting is just a click away for everyone.
Increasing consumer preference for high-quality, indulgent chocolate products
The North American cocoa market is experiencing a boom in demand for the premium chocolate segment. This surge has been brought in by evolving consumer preferences, increased disposable incomes, and an increasing consciousness for good-quality, ethically sourced products. Premium chocolate; costlier with richer cocoa content with fair ingredient selection and refined ways of manufacturing, is another-infuse-name with which big consumers are now thinking in terms of both indulgence and health. Another big factor leading to the increasing sales in premium chocolate is the buying behavior change, which is very evident especially among Millennials and Gen Zers. They are paying more attention to origin transparency, sustainability-related certifications, such as Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance, as well as clean label products; and are willing to pay a higher price for chocolates that have fewer additives and are made with single-origin beans, more cocoa butter, less sugar, and refined bar chocolate.
Surging Growth in the Distribution Segment Driven by Efficiency and Technology
The North American cocoa market is experiencing a boom in demand for the premium chocolate segment. This surge has been brought in by evolving consumer preferences, increased disposable incomes, and an increasing consciousness for good-quality, ethically sourced products. Another big factor leading to the increasing sales in premium chocolate is the buying behaviour change, especially among Millennials and Gen Zers. They are paying more attention to origin transparency, sustainability-related certifications, such as Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance, as well as clean label products; and are willing to pay a higher price for chocolates that have fewer additives and are made with single-origin beans, more cocoa butter, less sugar, and refined bar chocolate.
U.S. Holds the Largest Share in the North American Cocoa Market
The United States leads the North American cocoa market because of its large consumer base and established chocolate industry. It hosts major chocolate companies like Hershey, Mars, and Mondelez, which results in significant cocoa imports and processing. Americans love chocolate, creating high demand for cocoa products such as liquor, butter, and powder. The U.S. also has a strong food processing system that helps refine cocoa and create finished chocolate goods. There is a wide range of consumer preferences, from regular chocolates to premium and organic options, which adds variety to the market
The demand for cocoa in the candy and bakery shop,as well as beverage industries, is shaping competitiveness within the North American market. Cocoa supply and processing is dominated by big players like Barry Callebaut, Cargill, and Nestlé. As well, Mars, Hershey’s and Mondelez sited leading chocolate manufacturers compete through aggressive advertising and distribution. Innovation in food products rest sustainable sourcing and quality as the primary focus of this market. There are also lesser known specialty organic cocoa firms that are gaining prominence because of increased consumer awareness concerning ethical business practices alongside brands that promote themselves as high end. Companies are also impacted by legislation pertaining to labor as well as deforestation. In addition, private labels and e-commerce are changing how cocoa is distributed. All in all, the industry comprises large seasoned firms along with small emerging businesses who are ready to embrace changes where sustainability coupled with traceability take precedence in cocoa sector.
Barry Callebaut AG was founded in 1996 and is based in Zurich, Switzerland. It is the top maker of chocolate and cocoa products in the world. The company handles everything from sourcing cocoa beans to producing finished chocolate and operates over 60 factories around the globe. They sell chocolate to large food companies, artisans, and retailers. Barry Callebaut also aims for sustainability with programs like “Forever Chocolate,” which seeks to make sustainable chocolate the standard by 2025. They continue to grow by forming partnerships and exploring new ideas like reducing sugar and creating plant-based chocolate.
Cargill was started in 1865 and is based in Minnesota, USA. It is a major player in food and agriculture, especially in cocoa through its Cocoa & Chocolate division. Cargill works across Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas to source and process cocoa and make chocolate. They are known for their expertise in creating cocoa ingredients and offer a wide range of cocoa powders, butters, and chocolates for baked goods, dairy, and candy. Cargill invests in sustainable cocoa sourcing and uses digital tools to improve transparency and support farmers.
Nestlé S.A. was founded in 1866 and is located in Vevey, Switzerland. It is one of the prominent food and drink companies, with chocolate being a major part of its product lineup, which includes well-known brands like KitKat and Smarties. Nestlé sources a large amount of cocoa worldwide and runs sustainability programs called the Nestlé Cocoa Plan. This plan aims to improve farmer incomes and combat child labor while ensuring that their cocoa supply chains are free from deforestation. They are also working on making healthier chocolate options and introducing new products like ruby chocolate.
Olam Food Ingredients, or ofi, is part of the Olam Group and is based in Singapore. It became a separate company in 2020 and is a key supplier of cocoa beans and ingredients worldwide. With a large cocoa supply chain that stretches across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, ofi focuses on sourcing, grinding, and supplying cocoa products like liquor, butter, and powder to food businesses. They prioritize traceability and sustainability and operate processing plants and innovation centers to assist in product development.
*Please note that this is only a partial list; the complete list of key players is available in the full report. Additionally, the list of key players can be customized to better suit your needs.*
Other key players in the North America Cocoa market report are Canada Cacao Company Inc., Blommer Chocolate Company, Transformation Cacao Ivoire Québec Inc., Mondelez International, Inc., Meiji Holdings Co., Ltd., The Hershey Company, and Ferrero International S.A. among others.
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*While we strive to always give you current and accurate information, the numbers depicted on the website are indicative and may differ from the actual numbers in the main report. At Expert Market Research, we aim to bring you the latest insights and trends in the market. Using our analyses and forecasts, stakeholders can understand the market dynamics, navigate challenges, and capitalize on opportunities to make data-driven strategic decisions.*
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In 2025, the market reached an approximate value of USD 2.67 Billion.
The major players in the market are Barry Callebaut AG, Cargill Incorporated, Nestlé S.A., Olam Food Ingredients (ofi), Cocoa Processing Company Limited (CPC), Mondelez International, Inc., and Meiji Holdings Co., Ltd., among others.
Cocoa butter holds a major share in the market.
Companies are prioritising sustainable cocoa sourcing to address environmental concerns and social issues such as child labor and deforestation. Programs like Nestlé’s Cocoa Plan and Barry Callebaut’s Forever Chocolate initiative emphasize traceability, farmer training, and community development. Moreover, chocolate producers are increasingly focussing on products innovation in terms or infusion of organic ingredients and new flavours.
Explore our key highlights of the report and gain a concise overview of key findings, trends, and actionable insights that will empower your strategic decisions.
| REPORT FEATURES | DETAILS |
| Base Year | 2025 |
| Historical Period | 2019-2025 |
| Forecast Period | 2026-2035 |
| Scope of the Report |
Historical and Forecast Trends, Industry Drivers and Constraints, Historical and Forecast Market Analysis by Segment:
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| Breakup by Type |
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| Breakup by Application |
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| Breakup by Country |
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| Market Dynamics |
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| Competitive Landscape |
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| Companies Covered |
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