The Dutch market potential for cocoa

The Dutch cocoa market is changing as consumer preferences, sustainability requirements and supply chain expectations change. While the Netherlands is Europe’s largest cocoa trading and processing hub, more buyers are looking further than price and volume. Sustainability, traceability, premium chocolate, health-conscious consumption and authentic origin stories are becoming more important. These trends create opportunities and challenges for cocoa exporters. Exporters that can adapt to the changing market and show quality, transparency and responsible sourcing will have better chances of success in the Dutch market.

1. Country description: The Netherlands

The Netherlands is a developed country in Western Europe. It is positioned between Germany and Belgium, with a population of about 18.4 million people as of 2026. The country is part of the European Union (EU) and acts as the logistics hub for Europe.

The Dutch economy is strong. It grew by 1.4% in 2026. The Port of Amsterdam has the largest cocoa area in the world with special warehouses to store beans. The Port of Rotterdam also helps transport these goods quickly to other European countries by truck, train and boat. 

The Netherlands is a member of the European Union (EU). This means that all cocoa and cocoa products imported into the Netherlands need to follow EU rules. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) checks all food imports using fast digital systems for certified sustainable goods.

Cocoa products are classified using the Harmonized System (HS). This is an internationally recognised coding system used for customs procedures, trade statistics and tariff administration. HS codes help customs authorities identify products and work out the right import duties and regulatory requirements. 

Under the EU’s Most Favoured Nation (MFN) tariff regime, cocoa beans enter the Netherlands duty-free. But import duties apply to some processed cocoa products, as shown in Table 1. Some exporters from countries that have preferential trade arrangements with the EU, like Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs), can qualify for reduced or zero import duties on these products.

Table 1: EU import duties for cocoa and cocoa products

The Netherlands has a very large capacity for cocoa grinding and a big chocolate industry worth billions of euros. But its role goes much further than supplying the domestic market and processing industry. It is also one of the world’s largest cocoa trading and distribution hubs.

A large share of cocoa imported into the Netherlands is re-exported to other countries. Re-exporting means importing products and selling them to other countries without a lot of processing. For example, in 2024, the Netherlands re-exported about 18% of its cocoa bean imports. Together with Belgium (53%) and France (18%), the country made up 89% of all cocoa bean re-exports in Europe.

Apart from re-exporting cocoa beans, the Netherlands exports large volumes of processed cocoa products. This is because the country has a lot of capacity for grinding. Its role in setting quality standards makes it the benchmark for Europe’s cocoa sector.

Figure 1: Netherlands map with major cities, neighbouring countries and surrounding seas

Source: WorldAtlas

2. What makes the Netherlands an interesting market for cocoa?

The Netherlands is the largest importer of cocoa beans in the world. It is also the second largest cocoa grinder worldwide. Huge factories in Amsterdam and Zaanstad turn raw beans into cocoa butter, paste and powder. The country buys 86% of all cocoa powder that enters Europe directly from producing countries. In 2025, cocoa (cocoa beans and cocoa products) became the Netherlands’ second largest agricultural export product (including re-exports). The total export value grew by 35% to reach €12.4 billion because of high prices worldwide. 

The Netherlands is the largest importer of cocoa beans

The Netherlands is the largest importer of cocoa beans in the world (Figure 2). In 2025, the Netherlands imported around 700,000 tonnes of cocoa beans. This was a slight drop from the 827,000 tonnes recorded in 2024, but the volume still shows a dominant position in worldwide cocoa beans imports. ofi, Cargill and Ecom are large importers in the Netherlands. Daarnhouwer is a Dutch cocoa trader. 

Source: ITC calculations based on UN COMTRADE and ITC statistics, 2026

More than 25% of the world’s cocoa is imported into the Netherlands every year (Figure 2). Cocoa beans make up the highest share of cocoa cluster imports (Figure 3). The Port of Amsterdam is the largest cocoa port in the world. Its location makes it a strategic import destination for cocoa and cocoa products. This gives it a major place in the international cocoa trade, especially when combined with its expertise and the concentration of facilities and actors around it. 

There are many companies that specialise in the storage of cocoa beans in the Port of Amsterdam area. Examples are Commodity Centre Netherlands, CJ Hendriks Group, Cotterell, C. Steinweg Group, CWT Commodities, Dutch Cocoa BV, Katoen Natie and Vollers. You can find all these companies on the Port of Amsterdam website.

The port is very focused on sustainability and is very open to innovation. This makes the Netherlands an important supplier of cocoa and cocoa products to neighbouring countries.

Source: ITC calculations based on UN COMTRADE and ITC statistics, 2026

Most of the Netherlands’ cocoa and cocoa products imports come from West Africa

The country buys almost all of its beans directly from producing countries. In 2025, the Netherlands imported 693,000 tonnes of cocoa beans from origin countries. This volume was made up of 99% of its total cocoa bean imports. Only 1% came through countries that trade and re-export cocoa but do not produce it.

Côte d’Ivoire was the largest cocoa bean exporter to the Dutch market. The country imported about 215,000 tonnes of cocoa beans (Figure 4). Nigeria and Cameroon were also very important secondary suppliers. Nigeria supplied 126,000 tonnes, while Cameroon supplied 117,000 tonnes of cocoa beans. Ghana and Ecuador followed, supplying 76,000 tonnes and 42,000 tonnes of cocoa beans, respectively.

Source: ITC calculations based on UN COMTRADE and ITC statistics, 2026

Côte d’Ivoire leads in the supply of cocoa beans. It also provides about 27% of cocoa beans and cocoa products imported into the Netherlands. Ghana, Cameroon and Nigeria are also important. The Netherlands also imports high volumes of chocolate and processed cocoa products from Belgium and Germany, which are major European chocolate manufacturing countries.

Since 2020, the share of Dutch cocoa imports from Cameroon has gone up from 8% to 11%. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s share has grown from 5% to 11%. Ecuador and Guinea have also become more important to the Dutch market. The shares supplied by Côte d’Ivoire, Belgium, Germany and France have gone down over the same period. But they are still important trading partners.

The lower share of Côte d’Ivoire, Belgium, Germany and France as suppliers to the Netherlands might partly be linked to cocoa supply challenges in Côte d’Ivoire. Examples are poor harvests, bad weather conditions and outbreaks of disease. As Côte d’Ivoire is also a major supplier to Belgium, Germany and France, lower cocoa availability might have affected the volumes these countries were able to re-export to the Netherlands. At the same time, the diversification seen in Dutch cocoa sourcing might reflect buyers’ efforts to reduce supply risks. Compliance with new traceability and sustainability rules may also be a reason. This partly explains the higher importance of Cameroon. About 80% of cocoa production in Cameroon met EU traceability requirements by late 2024, and more than 90% of cocoa-growing areas had been georeferenced for the EUDR by 2025. Ecuador’s growing role might also be linked to its strong position as a supplier of fine flavour cocoa. Overall, changing supply patterns, sustainability requirements and the availability of specialty cocoa seem to be contributing to the diversification of Dutch cocoa imports.

Source: CBS, Eurostat, 2026

The Netherlands is the largest exporter of cocoa products in the world

In 2025, the Netherlands was the largest exporter of cocoa products in Europe. It exported chocolate, cocoa paste, cocoa butter and cocoa powder worth €12.4 billion. This was higher than Germany, the second largest exporter, which exported cocoa products worth €11.4 billion (Figure 6). Germany was the leading annual exporter of cocoa products from 2010 to 2024. The Netherlands held this position before 2010.

Source: CBS, Eurostat, 2026

Between 2020 and 2025, the value of Dutch exports of cocoa products nearly tripled, from €4.2 billion to €12.4 billion. In 2025 alone, the Netherlands earned about €3 billion from chocolate exports.

The rise in export value was mainly because of the big rise in worldwide cocoa prices. Cocoa prices went up because of several years of poor harvests in major producing countries in West Africa. These were largely caused by bad weather conditions, diseases and supply shortages.

Source: CBS, Eurostat, 2026

About 25% of Dutch exports of cocoa beans and cocoa products are destined for Germany. This makes Germany the largest export market for the Netherlands. Belgium receives about 13% of Dutch cocoa exports. France and the United Kingdom are also important destinations. The United States is the largest market outside Europe.

Trade patterns have remained relatively stable over the last five years. The rankings of the main destination countries have not changed much. This shows the Netherlands’ established role as a major cocoa processing and distribution hub for the European market.

Source: CBS, Eurostat, 2026

Dutch imports and exports are closely connected

In 2025, the Netherlands re-exported cocoa beans and cocoa products worth €13.3 billion. Its exports were higher than those of Germany, Côte d’Ivoire, Belgium and France individually. Re-exports are products that enter the Netherlands, pass through Dutch warehouses or distribution centres, and are then exported to other countries, mainly within Europe. Unlike goods in transit, re-exported products are counted as both imports and exports. 

Dutch cocoa exports very much depend on cocoa imports. Large volumes of cocoa beans arrive through the Port of Amsterdam. Most beans are processed in the Zaan region, one of the world's leading cocoa processing centres. The beans are turned into semi-finished products, like cocoa butter, cocoa paste and cocoa powder. These products are then exported to manufacturers across Europe and beyond.

Although some of these cocoa products are used to make chocolate in other countries, the Netherlands has its own chocolate manufacturing industry. So, the Netherlands plays an important role in cocoa processing and trade. The country links cocoa-producing countries with chocolate manufacturers throughout Europe.

The Netherlands is a major cocoa processing hub 

The Netherlands has the second largest cocoa-processing industry in the world, behind Côte d'Ivoire. In 2024, about 82% of imported beans stayed in the country to be made into high-value paste, butter and powder. The Dutch cocoa grinding industry is located near the Port of Amsterdam. Multinationals like ofi and Cargill are based there. So are Dutch Cocoa, Tulip Cocoa and Theobroma, which are part of ECOM Group. 

The country also refines cocoa butter imports for other things, like use in cosmetics and health products. Examples of companies based in the Netherlands that source semi-finished cocoa products are Huyser Möller, Gaia Cacao, Daarnhouwer, Campo Lindo, JS Cocoa and Rhumveld Winter & Konijn.

The Netherlands faces new competition because producing countries, like Côte d'Ivoire, are growing their own local factories to grind more beans. But the Netherlands will still have a strong advantage because of its great ports and closeness to European chocolate makers. Dutch buyers also act as a buffer to make sure that European chocolate factories have a steady supply.

3. Which cocoa products offer the most opportunities on the Dutch market? 

The Netherlands is a very important market for bulk or mainstream cocoa. This means beans and derivatives, like paste, butter and powder. Demand for certified cocoa is also strong. Nearly all private‑label chocolate in Dutch supermarkets have certification, and many big brands rely on certified supply. Niche segments, like bean to bar and organic chocolate, also continue to grow. This strengthens the Netherlands’ dual role as Europe’s volume hub and a main reason behind sustainable cocoa trends.

The Netherlands is a major destination for semi-finished cocoa products

In 2025, Dutch imports from cocoa producing countries reached 138,447 tonnes of cocoa paste, 87,031 tonnes of cocoa butter and 31,270 tonnes of cocoa powder. Over the last five years, imports of the semi-finished products have been relatively stable. Cocoa butter imports remained mostly steady. They grew from 80,251 tonnes in 2021 to 87,031 tonnes in 2025. Cocoa powder imports went down slightly from 46,732 tonnes in 2022 to 31,270 tonnes in 2025. Cocoa paste performed well, reaching a peak of over 166,000 tonnes in 2024 before dropping to 138,447 tonnes in 2025. 

A very important characteristic of the Dutch market is strong dependence on cocoa-producing countries for semi-finished cocoa products. In 2025, 89% of cocoa paste imports, 83% of cocoa butter imports and 62% of cocoa powder imports came directly from producing countries. This makes the country an important entry point for exporters from producing countries that want to sell value-added cocoa products to the European market.

Côte d’Ivoire leads cocoa paste export to the Netherlands, followed by Ghana, Cameroon, Nigeria and Peru. Similarly, Ghana leads cocoa butter and cocoa powder exports to the Netherlands, followed by Côte d’Ivoire. The Netherlands will probably remain an important market for semi-finished cocoa products because of the presence of large chocolate factories.

Source: ITC calculations based on UN COMTRADE and ITC statistics, 2026

The Netherlands is a leading importer of chocolate 

The country is the fifth largest importer of chocolate and other food containing cocoa in the world (Figure 10). Brazil is a major cocoa origin country that exports chocolate to Netherlands. Others include Malaysia, Peru, India and Ecuador (Figure 11). You can see this diversity in the Dutch retail landscape, where even mainstream channels offer many different chocolate products from different origins. This contributes to growing consumer awareness of chocolate diversity and characteristics.

Dutch chocolate consumption blends traditional preferences with newer interests. While mainstream, affordable chocolate is still popular, there is growing appreciation for premium, craft and ethically sourced products. Dutch consumers are known for their adventurous tastes. Brands like Tony's Chocolonely are proof of this openness to innovation. This brand combines unique flavours with a strong ethical mission focused on slave-free chocolate production.

Source: ITC calculations based on UN COMTRADE and ITC statistics, 2026

Source: ITC calculations based on UN COMTRADE and ITC statistics, 2026

Bulk or mainstream cocoa still dominate

The Dutch market very much relies on standard bulk cocoa beans to feed its massive trade infrastructure. This sector is driven by a constant demand for raw beans to make chocolate ingredients. As shown in Figure 12, Dutch buyers mostly purchase these volumes from West African nations, like Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon and Nigeria.

Data from the Dutch Initiative on Sustainable Cocoa (DISCO) shows the amount of imported cocoa beans that leave the country without being processed. This confirms that the country acts like a large clearing house for Europe.

This re-export trade means the Netherlands is an attractive market and a competitor for global suppliers. While Dutch traders can help you distribute your cocoa beans and other cocoa products throughout Europe, they also help re-export the same materials to other European factories.

Source: Dutch Initiative on Sustainable Cocoa Annual Report, 2023

Certified cocoa on high demand 

The Netherlands reached a big sustainability milestone in 2025. All cocoa sold by Dutch retailers and small manufacturers is now certified or independently verified. This achievement fulfilled a long-term goal set in 2010 to make the entire Dutch consumer market sustainable by 2025. 

By 2022, the Netherlands was Europe’s leading hub for certified cocoa. The country imported 272,000 tonnes of Rainforest Alliance cocoa and fully transitioned from its UTZ legacy. Fairtrade also became more popular, with sales rising by 8%. This growth was driven by large Dutch retail groups like Albert Heijn, Jumbo and Superunie. These groups moved all their private-label products to certified sources.

Together, these trends highlight the Netherlands’ strong and growing demand for certified cocoa. This demand is rooted in the country’s focus on sustainability and its dominant role in the global cocoa trade.

The Dutch grinding industry is the biggest buyer of certified cocoa in the world. In 2024, the Netherlands imported 397,000 tonnes of Rainforest Alliance certified cocoa. This volume makes up 26% of all worldwide sales for this certification.

All cocoa sold by Dutch retailers is now certified or independently verified. Data from the Dutch Initiative on Sustainable Cocoa (DISCO) shows that Rainforest Alliance is the most important certification. Its market share in the Netherlands grew from 77.27% in 2020 to 86.99% in 2023.

Demand for organic cocoa is rising

The Netherlands is an important import hub for organic cocoa. A large part of the organic cocoa imported into the Netherlands is processed and then exported to other European countries and the USA.

The Dutch market for organic products is growing. The Dutch organic retail market grew by 9.6% in 2024. The country started a national campaign to promote organic products in 2024. The Dutch organic market is expected to keep growing.

The main importer of organic cocoa in the Netherlands is Tradin Organic. They are responsible for most organic imports. Other organic cocoa importers include Daarnhouwer and Huyser Müller BV.

Some examples of Dutch organic chocolate brands are Chocolatemakers and Lovechock. Chocolatemakers also imports organic cocoa directly. Craft organic chocolate products are sold in organic retail and online specialty shops, like Ekoplaza and Chocoladeverkopers.

For exporters, it is very important to have direct relationships with organic cocoa importers (especially Tradin Organic) if they want a good position in the European market. The Netherlands is Europe’s largest organic cocoa importer, so it is the main route for organic exporters to enter the European market.

Premium chocolate demand is high

The Dutch chocolate market is seeing a strong premiumisation trend. Consumers are often moving beyond standard chocolate products. They are willing to pay more for higher-quality chocolate with better ingredients, stronger sustainability claims and unique flavour experiences. Premium chocolate is becoming popular not only as an indulgence product but also as a gift and lifestyle product. The Dutch premium chocolate market will probably grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.39% until 2032.

Several factors are behind this trend. Dutch consumers are showing greater interest in:

• Single-origin chocolate;
• Artisanal and bean-to-bar products;
• Organic and Fairtrade-certified chocolate;
• Premium packaging;
• Ethical sourcing and traceability.

Figure 13: Display of single-origin chocolate in the Chocolate Company’s shop in Groningen

Source: Amonarmah Consults

More consumers want to know where their cocoa comes from and how it was produced. People often see products with clear origin stories and sustainability credentials as more premium and trustworthy. Around 59% of European consumers, including Dutch consumers, think that chocolate with a unique story is more premium.

Premium chocolate brands are responding to this trend by introducing products with higher cocoa content, specialty ingredients and stronger sustainability messaging. Product innovation is also growing. Some examples are limited editions, handcrafted chocolates, gifting collections and unique flavour combinations.

The premium chocolate market in Europe continues to grow quickly. The Dutch premium chocolate market will probably grow from $13.1 billion (USD) in 2025 to $17.8 billion by 2031. Consumer demand for quality, sustainability, traceability and premium experiences supports this growth.

For cocoa exporters, premiumisation creates opportunities to move away from competing only on volume and price. Buyers in premium segments often look for:

• High-quality cocoa beans;
• Strong flavour characteristics;
• Traceability systems;
• Sustainability certification;
• Direct relationships with producers.

As an exporter, you should show consistent quality, responsible sourcing and a strong cocoa origin story. This will help you get access to this higher-value market segment and long-term buyer relationships.

4. Which trends offer opportunities or pose threats on the Dutch cocoa market? 

The Dutch consume a moderate 5.1 kg of chocolate per person. But demand is shifting towards healthier snacks, premium-quality products and adventurous flavour combinations. There is also a steadily growing focus on sustainability.

Sustainability has become the market standard

Sustainability has become a defining feature of the Dutch cocoa market. This is due to both consumer awareness and regulatory pressure across Europe. Dutch consumers are more and more conscious of environmental and social issues. This means there is a strong demand for responsibly sourced cocoa and chocolate products. What began as a voluntary movement has now become an industry-wide expectation. It is helped by the Dutch Initiative on Sustainable Cocoa (DISCO). This initiative brings together companies, governments and civil society actors to promote sustainable sourcing throughout the cocoa value chain.

At the same time, certification schemes such as Rainforest Alliance and Fairtrade have become mainstream. Certified cocoa is a basic requirement for most major retailers and chocolate brands in the Netherlands. But the market is going further than just certification, to deeper accountability. Buyers more often expect traceability, deforestation-free sourcing and measurable impact on farmer livelihoods. Corporate sustainability programmes led by big companies are also becoming more important. These programmes further shape sourcing decisions and increasing competition among exporters.

Dutch importing companies are also responsible for following European sustainability rules like the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive. 

The EUDR requires cocoa companies to prove that cocoa is not linked to deforestation and can be traced back to the farm level. The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) are also putting more pressure on companies to monitor environmental and human-rights risks in their supply chains. You need to provide data on emissions, labour practices and resource use to help your buyers meet their obligations.

The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) requires standardised ESG (environmental, social and governance) reporting. This law applies to firms with 1,000 to 1,750 workers and a turnover of €450 million. The first reports should be handed in between 2028 and 2029. The CSDDD also requires large companies to address human rights and environmental risks across supply chains. This law targets firms with over 5,000 workers and turnovers of more than €1.5 billion. You should expect Dutch buyers to request clear information on your labour rights, fair pay and environmental stewardship.

Storytelling and transparency are becoming competitive advantages

In a market where most cocoa is already certified, storytelling has become a very important way for exporters to stand out. Dutch chocolate brands more often try to connect consumers with the origins of their cocoa, using narratives around farmers, communities and sustainability practices. These stories must be authentic, verifiable and directly linked to the product, as consumers are becoming more critical of vague claims without proof.

But the Netherlands’ role as a re-export hub creates a challenge for exporters. Since most cocoa is processed and exported to other countries, it can be difficult to maintain a direct link between producers and final consumers. This means that storytelling opportunities are strongest in shorter, more transparent supply chains. This is particularly true for those that involve specialty chocolate makers or direct trade relationships. Brands like Tony’s Chocolonely show how powerful storytelling can be when it is integrated throughout the entire product experience, from sourcing to packaging.

Figure 14: Tony’s Chocolonely product marketing

Source: Tonys Chocoloney 

Tony's Chocolonely’s partner cooperatives in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire are good examples of how cocoa producers can benefit from the growing Dutch demand for traceability, sustainability and transparency. Through long-term partnerships, full traceability and higher farmer payments, these cooperatives have become part of a supply chain that directly addresses important concerns of Dutch consumers and regulators.

Another example of a producer organisation that has benefited from sustainability and transparency trends is Ghana’s Kuapa Kokoo cooperative. Through its ownership with Divine Chocolate, Kuapa Kokoo has gone further than just supplying cocoa beans and become part of a chocolate brand sold in international markets. Divine Chocolate uses Fairtrade certification, farmer ownership and clear storytelling to stand out from other chocolate brands.

The company shares its cocoa farmers’ stories and explains how farmers benefit from the business. This approach appeals to consumers who care about ethical sourcing, transparency and farmer welfare. The case study shows how producer organisations can create more value by combining quality cocoa with sustainability and a strong story.

Amonarmah Consults carried out this study in partnership with Molgo Research and Ethos Agriculture on behalf of CBI.

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