Find Verified Cocoa Beans Buyers, Importers and Buy Leads

Cocoa Beans: From Ancient Currency to Global Trade Commodity

Chocolates are one of the world's most beloved products, and the key raw materials used in their production are cocoa beans. Essentially, these cocoa beans are the almond-shaped, dried seeds found inside the fruit of the cacao tree (called a pod). Each pod has about 16 to 60 cocoa beans. Every bean consists of around 50% fat, 20% protein, and a large amount of nutrients (such as vitamins and theobromine). Do you know that in ancient times, Indigenous people of Central America used cocoa beans as currency and considered cocoa as the 'food of gods'? Yes, they even used these cocoa beans in a number of religious rituals. Today, cocoa beans are important in the trade business as they are the main ingredient in the production of chocolate, cocoa butter, and cocoa powder. For suppliers and exporters, the global landscape offers great opportunities to connect with cocoa beans buyers and expand market access. 

Who Buys Cocoa Beans and What Are They Looking For?

As supply chains evolve, it’s important for suppliers to understand trade dynamics, coca beans processing, pricing benchmarks, and buyers' persona with their needs to ensure successful export operations. Cocoa beans importers mainly include traders and processors. It’s also crucial for suppliers to know exactly what buyers look for when purchasing cocoa beans in bulk. So, let’s explore who these buyers are and what they look for in detail.

Major Cocoa Beans Buyers:

• Chocolate Manufacturers: Need consistent-quality raw or roasted cocoa beans
• Large & Mid-Sized Processors: Produce cocoa powder, butter, and liquor
• Traders & Distributors: Source bulk and specialty cocoa globally
• Food Companies: Use cocoa bean varieties as key ingredients in snacks, beverages, and desserts

What They Look For:

• Quality: High-quality cocoa beans and cocoa pods (with good flavor and aroma)
• Origin: Particular origins known for premium cocoa beans 
• Consistency: Consistent drying cocoa beans for their manufacturing processes
• Sustainability: Certifications to ensure ethically sourced cocoa beans 
• Fermentation level: Properly fermented cocoa beans for good taste and aroma
• Moisture content: To prevent spoilage during shipping
• Pricing: Competitive cocoa beans international price 
• Proper Packaging: Secure packaging with full traceability

In addition, many cocoa beans importers and multi-commodity traders often look for complementary products like beans for other food applications, beverages, bean bags, and dry food ingredients used in bakery or confectionery industries. It is a great opportunity for exporters to grow their business by expanding their product portfolio. 

Cocoa Beans vs Coffee Beans: A Shared Market Ecosystem

Some people often confuse coffee beans with cocoa beans. But both coffee beans and cocoa beans are distinct in origin, processing, and final products. While cocoa beans come from the cacao tree, coffee beans are harvested from the coffea plant. Cocoa beans are processed into cocoa butter and cocoa powder, commonly used in chocolate and other products. On the other hand, coffee beans are used to make various types of coffee, such as organic coffee, ground coffee, robusta coffee, green coffee, arabica coffee, and instant coffee. Exporters working in agri-commodities or suppliers with diverse product lines (dealing in both coffee and cocoa beans) should know the key differences to meet market demand and buyers needs. 

Cocoa Beans Global Trade Conditions

Understanding the global market demand for cocoa beans will give you an insight into growth prospects. The increasing demand due to the growing consumption of cocoa bean chocolate products across all age groups and regions has made cocoa beans a high-potential commodity in international trade. Moreover, people are now becoming more aware of the health-related benefits of cocoa-rich beans. It is proven that cocoa helps reduce high blood pressure, manage fatigue, enhance mood, and also promote healthy digestion. All these factors contribute to the growing market size of cocoa beans, as shown below.

Source: Grand View Research

Top Cocoa Beans Importing Countries (2023):

Source: World Integrated Trade Solution

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Where to Find Verified Cocoa Beans Buyers?

Whether you export sun-dried raw cocoa beans or finely sorted roasted cocoa beans, here are the most effective ways to find verified buyers.

• Attend global trade events like Chocoa (Amsterdam), Salon du Chocolat (Paris), or Gulfood (Dubai) to meet verified buyers in person.
• Reach out to national trade bodies like Ghana Export Promotion Authority, Nigerian Export Promotion Council), etc., for buyer databases.
• Join cocoa-focused organizations like the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) or World Cocoa Foundation for access to buyer networks.
• Monitor 'buy leads' on B2B platforms (like go4WorldBusiness), where verified cocoa beans buyers post real-time requirements. 
• Use social media to connect with importers, procurement officers, and traders.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

1. Who buys the cocoa beans?

Major cocoa beans buyers are chocolate manufacturers, cocoa processors, food companies, global commodity traders, and importers. 

2. Who is the biggest buyer of cocoa beans?

The European Union is the biggest buyer of cocoa beans with a trade value of about $4.75 billion.

3. What is the price of cocoa beans per kg?

The cocoa beans price varies on the basis of region and quality. However, it may range from $2.50 to over $8.00 per kg globally.

4. What is the import performance of cocoa beans?

The rising demand for cocoa beans for chocolate production has boosted its import performance.Especially in markets like the Netherlands, Malaysia, and Germany, demand is booming, creating opportunities for suppliers.

5. What is the cocoa beans HSN code?

18010000 is the cocoa beans HSN code.

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