HS Code:
Subheading 1806.20.73 of the Harmonized System (HS) Code pertains to chocolate and other food preparations containing cocoa, in blocks, slabs, or bars, weighing more than 2 kg, or in liquid, paste, powder, granular, or other bulk form, specifically those containing less than 18% by weight of cocoa butter. This category is significant for bulk chocolate products used in further processing or industrial applications, such as in the confectionery and baking industries. It excludes retail-packaged products and focuses on intermediate goods for manufacturing.
Total Trade Volume
USD 1.2 billion
Data from 2022
Source
United Nations Comtrade Database
Average Rate
6.5%
Highest Rate
15% (applied by certain developing countries)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements like EU-USMCA)
Rising demand for sustainable and ethically sourced cocoa
Increased costs for producers but higher consumer trust and market access in premium segments, especially in Europe and North America
2021-2022
Shift towards plant-based and low-sugar chocolate products
Manufacturers adapting formulations, impacting bulk chocolate composition and trade volumes in health-conscious markets
2020-2022
Supply chain disruptions due to geopolitical tensions and climate change
Price volatility and reduced export volumes from key cocoa-producing regions like West Africa, affecting global supply
2022
The EU introduced regulations requiring proof that cocoa imports are not linked to deforestation, affecting exporters from West Africa and Latin America.
June 2023
Increased compliance costs for exporters but potential long-term benefits for sustainable producers with market differentiation.
The US reduced retaliatory tariffs on certain EU chocolate products as part of broader trade negotiations, benefiting exporters from Belgium and Germany.
March 2023
Boosted trade volumes from the EU to the US, with a projected 5% increase in exports for this category.
Poor harvests in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana, major cocoa producers, led to a significant price increase for bulk chocolate products.
September 2023
Higher input costs for manufacturers and potential shifts to alternative suppliers or synthetic cocoa substitutes.