Falling to a series low
UAE Cocoa Beans Consumption per Capita moved from 0.920 Kilogram in 2015 to 0.650 Kilogram in 2023 (−29.3%), an average of −4.2% a year. The series high was 2.45 Kilogram in 2021 and the low 0.650 Kilogram in 2023.
What UAE Cocoa Beans Consumption per Capita shows
UAE Cocoa Beans Consumption per Capita was 0.650 Kilogram in 2023, down 56.7% on 2022. The UAE's cocoa beans consumption per capita between 2015 and 2023 reflects a highly dynamic and fluctuating consumer market, influenced by changing lifestyle patterns, tourism activity, premium food demand, and evolving consumer preferences toward chocolate and cocoa-based products.
A 73.5% peak-to-trough swing
The gap between the series high (2021) and low (2023) is 1.80 Kilogram. The sharpest single-year move was −56.7% in 2023.
Ranks 34 of 44 countries covered
Among the 44 countries in this dataset, UAE ranks 34 for 2023, behind Luxembourg (5.42 Kilogram) and Iceland (5.27 Kilogram). The global figure for 2023 is 0.658 Kilogram, so UAE is below it.
Full series
UAE Cocoa Beans Consumption per Capita by year
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Kilogram.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| Year | Kilogram | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 Trough | 0.650 | −56.7% |
| 2022 | 1.50 | −38.8% |
| 2021Peak | 2.45 | +15.6% |
| 2020 | 2.12 | −11.7% |
| 2019 | 2.40 | +9.6% |
| 2018 | 2.19 | +45% |
| 2017 | 1.51 | +43.8% |
| 2016 | 1.05 | +14.1% |
| 2015 | 0.920 | — |
Regional context
How UAE compares in Asia
Cocoa Beans Consumption per Capita by country, 2023, Kilogram. UAE is highlighted.
1Israel4.15
2Indonesia1.73
3Saudi Arabia1.27
4Turkey0.990
5South Korea0.880
6Philippines0.820
7Thailand0.800
9UAE0.650
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.
Validated Our World in Data data shows per capita cocoa beans consumption increased from 920 grams in 2015 to 650 grams in 2023, after reaching significantly higher levels during the middle of the study period. Despite the decline in recent years, the UAE remains an important cocoa-consuming market due to its affluent consumers, strong retail sector, and demand for premium confectionery products.
During the early period, consumption increased substantially from 920 grams in 2015 to 1,050 grams in 2016 and 1,510 grams in 2017. Growth accelerated further in 2018, reaching 2,190 grams, followed by 2,400 grams in 2019, the highest level recorded during the study period. This increase reflected strong consumer spending, expansion of premium chocolate categories, growth in hospitality and tourism sectors, and rising demand for imported cocoa-based products.
In 2020, consumption declined slightly to 2,120 grams due to pandemic-related disruptions, reduced tourism activity, and lower foodservice demand. However, the market recovered in 2021, reaching 2,450 grams, supported by economic recovery, renewed consumer spending, and increasing demand for luxury confectionery products.
Consumption moderated significantly in 2022, declining to 1,500 grams, and further decreased to 650 grams in 2023. These changes indicate market normalization after previous high consumption levels, along with shifts in consumer spending patterns and broader economic adjustments.
Overall, the UAE cocoa consumption market demonstrates strong long-term potential, supported by high purchasing power, diverse consumer demographics, and strong demand for premium chocolate products. The dataset provides valuable insights for chocolate manufacturers, cocoa suppliers, retailers, and investors to analyze consumption trends, evaluate market opportunities, forecast demand, and understand evolving consumer behavior within the UAE cocoa market.
- Indicator
- Cocoa Beans Consumption per Capita
- Country
- UAE
- Region
- Asia
- 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 UAE 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 UAE Cocoa Beans Consumption per Capita in 2023?
UAE Cocoa Beans Consumption per Capita was 0.650 Kilogram in 2023, down 56.7% on 2022.
How has UAE Cocoa Beans Consumption per Capita changed between 2015 and 2023?
UAE Cocoa Beans Consumption per Capita moved from 0.920 Kilogram in 2015 to 0.650 Kilogram in 2023 (−29.3%), an average of −4.2% a year. The series high was 2.45 Kilogram in 2021 and the low 0.650 Kilogram in 2023.
Which year had the highest and lowest UAE Cocoa Beans Consumption per Capita?
The highest value was 2.45 Kilogram in 2021 and the lowest was 0.650 Kilogram in 2023.
What does the UAE 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 UAE 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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