Higher over the period
South Africa Cocoa Beans Consumption per Capita moved from 0.420 Kilogram in 2015 to 0.430 Kilogram in 2023 (+2.4%), an average of +0.3% a year. The series high was 0.530 Kilogram in 2021 and the low 0.390 Kilogram in 2019.
What South Africa Cocoa Beans Consumption per Capita shows
South Africa Cocoa Beans Consumption per Capita was 0.430 Kilogram in 2023, up 2.4% on 2022. Southern Africa's cocoa beans consumption per capita reflects a developing regional market, supported by expanding urban populations, increasing availability of chocolate and confectionery products, and gradually evolving consumer preferences.
A 26.4% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2021) and low (2019) is 0.140 Kilogram. The sharpest single-year move was +23.3% in 2021.
Comoros leads the region
Within South Africa, Comoros has the highest value in 2023 at 0.580 Kilogram.
Country ranking
Cocoa Beans Consumption per Capita by country, 2023
Kilogram. Sort by any column, or search for a country.
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By region
Cocoa Beans Consumption per Capita by region
Kilogram, 2023. Each bar is that region's total.
Full series
South Africa Cocoa Beans Consumption per Capita by year
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Kilogram.
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| Year | Kilogram | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 0.430 | +2.4% |
| 2022 | 0.420 | −20.8% |
| 2021Peak | 0.530 | +23.3% |
| 2020 | 0.430 | +10.3% |
| 2019 Trough | 0.390 | −7.1% |
| 2018 | 0.420 | 0% |
| 2017 | 0.420 | 0% |
| 2016 | 0.420 | 0% |
| 2015 | 0.420 | — |
Data definition
Inclusions and exclusions
Cocoa Beans Consumption per Capita — Cocoa beans consumption per capita refers to the average amount of cocoa beans available for consumption per person in a country, measured in grams per person per year. The indicator represents the per capita availability of cocoa beans based on food supply data, reflecting the estimated quantity of cocoa beans available for human consumption after accounting for production, imports, exports, and other supply adjustments. In Our World in Data, the indicator is presented as a country-by-country time series, with values reported annually for the selected period.
The data includes the estimated per capita availability of cocoa beans for human consumption, calculated from national food supply balances. It covers cocoa beans as a food commodity and reflects factors such as domestic production, imports, exports, stock changes, and other supply-side adjustments used to estimate food availability. The dataset is compiled from food balance statistics based on sources such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, with values standardized on a per-person basis for cross-country comparison.
The data excludes actual individual consumption patterns, household-level consumption surveys, and differences in consumption behavior among population groups. It does not measure the consumption of processed chocolate products, cocoa powder, cocoa butter, or other cocoa-derived products separately. The indicator also excludes non-food uses of cocoa beans, food waste at the retail or household level, and informal or unrecorded consumption activities. Values represent food availability estimates rather than direct measurements of cocoa beans physically consumed by individuals.
About this indicator
Cocoa Beans Consumption per Capita — Cocoa beans consumption per capita refers to the average amount of cocoa beans available for consumption per person in a country, measured in grams per person per year. The indicator represents the per capita availability of cocoa beans based on food supply data, reflecting the estimated quantity of cocoa beans available for human consumption after accounting for production, imports, exports, and other supply adjustments. In Our World in Data, the indicator is presented as a country-by-country time series, with values reported annually for the selected period.
Between 2015 and 2023, regional per capita cocoa beans consumption increased from 390 grams to 420 grams, indicating stable long-term growth despite moderate fluctuations across individual markets.
Regional consumption remained relatively stable during the study period, increasing from 390 grams in 2015 to 420 grams in 2018. Consumption moderated slightly to 380 grams in 2019 before recovering to 430 grams in 2020. Regional demand strengthened further, reaching a peak of 510 grams in 2021, supported by resilient household consumption and improving availability of cocoa-based products. Consumption subsequently eased to 410 grams in 2022 before recovering slightly to 420 grams in 2023, maintaining levels above the beginning of the study period.
Consumption patterns varied across the region's analyzed markets. Comoros recorded the highest per capita cocoa beans consumption in 2023 at 580 grams, reflecting a significant increase from 60 grams in 2015. Egypt maintained relatively high and stable consumption, rising from 280 grams in 2015 to 520 grams in 2023, despite peaking at 580 grams in 2022. South Africa, the region's largest consumer market, maintained comparatively stable consumption throughout the period, increasing modestly from 420 grams in 2015 to 430 grams in 2023 after fluctuating between 390 grams and 530 grams. Nigeria recorded the lowest per capita consumption among the analyzed countries, though it showed a gradual recovery from 120 grams in 2015 to 110 grams in 2023 following fluctuations during the period.
Overall, Southern Africa's cocoa beans consumption trends highlight a resilient and gradually expanding regional market. Rising consumer awareness, increasing retail penetration, and growing demand for chocolate and cocoa-based products continue to create opportunities for cocoa processors, food manufacturers, and confectionery companies across the region.
- Indicator
- Cocoa Beans Consumption per Capita
- Region
- South Africa
- Unit
- Kilogram
- Coverage
- 2015–2023, annual
- Category
- Agriculture
- Last updated
- July 2026
- Source
- Our World in Data
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Frequently asked questions
What is South Africa Cocoa Beans Consumption per Capita?
Cocoa beans consumption per capita refers to the average amount of cocoa beans available for consumption per person in a country, measured in grams per person per year. The indicator represents the per capita availability of cocoa beans based on food supply data, reflecting the estimated quantity of cocoa beans available for human consumption after accounting for production, imports, exports, and other supply adjustments. In Our World in Data, the indicator is presented as a country-by-country time series, with values reported annually for the selected period.
What was South Africa Cocoa Beans Consumption per Capita in 2023?
South Africa Cocoa Beans Consumption per Capita was 0.430 Kilogram in 2023, up 2.4% on 2022.
How has South Africa Cocoa Beans Consumption per Capita changed between 2015 and 2023?
South Africa Cocoa Beans Consumption per Capita moved from 0.420 Kilogram in 2015 to 0.430 Kilogram in 2023 (+2.4%), an average of +0.3% a year. The series high was 0.530 Kilogram in 2021 and the low 0.390 Kilogram in 2019.
Which year had the highest and lowest South Africa Cocoa Beans Consumption per Capita?
The highest value was 0.530 Kilogram in 2021 and the lowest was 0.390 Kilogram in 2019.
What does the South Africa Cocoa Beans Consumption per Capita data include and exclude?
Included: The data includes the estimated per capita availability of cocoa beans for human consumption, calculated from national food supply balances. It covers cocoa beans as a food commodity and reflects factors such as domestic production, imports, exports, stock changes, and other supply-side adjustments used to estimate food availability. The dataset is compiled from food balance statistics based on sources such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, with values standardized on a per-person basis for cross-country comparison. Excluded: The data excludes actual individual consumption patterns, household-level consumption surveys, and differences in consumption behavior among population groups. It does not measure the consumption of processed chocolate products, cocoa powder, cocoa butter, or other cocoa-derived products separately. The indicator also excludes non-food uses of cocoa beans, food waste at the retail or household level, and informal or unrecorded consumption activities. Values represent food availability estimates rather than direct measurements of cocoa beans physically consumed by individuals.
Where does the South Africa Cocoa Beans Consumption per Capita data come from?
The series is sourced from Our World in Data (https://ourworldindata.org/explorers/global-food?tab=table&time=2015..latest&country=USA~DEU~FRA~GBR~BRA~ZAF%3BhideControls&tableSearch=singa&Food=Cocoa+beans&Metric=Food+available+for+consumption&Per+capita=true). It covers 2015–2023 and is reported in Kilogram.
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