What countries buy cocoa?

It's difficult to give a definitive list of countries that *buy* cocoa, as the trade is incredibly complex and includes many intermediaries. Here's a breakdown to help understand the flow of cocoa:

Cocoa Producers:

* Top Producers: Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Indonesia, Nigeria, Brazil, Ecuador, Cameroon, Dominican Republic

* Other Producers: Many countries in Africa, Latin America, Asia, and Oceania produce cocoa in smaller quantities.

Cocoa Processors and Consumers:

* Major Processors and Consumers: The Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, USA, France, Switzerland, UK, Italy, Malaysia, Singapore, Spain.

* Growing Chocolate Consumption: China, India, Brazil, Mexico, Russia, and other developing countries are seeing a growing demand for chocolate.

Key Points:

* Global Trade: Cocoa beans are traded on the global market, making it difficult to track individual buyer countries.

* Bean-to-Bar: Many countries process cocoa beans into chocolate, making it even more challenging to determine the final destination of the cocoa.

* Ingredients: Cocoa is used in various products beyond chocolate, such as baking ingredients, beverages, and cosmetics.

To find more specific information:

* International Cocoa Organization (ICCO): This organization provides data on cocoa production, consumption, and trade.

* Cocoa Industry Reports: Various industry reports, like those published by market research firms, can provide insights into the global cocoa market.

* Trade Data: International trade databases can reveal import/export information on cocoa and chocolate products.

Remember, the flow of cocoa is constantly changing, and the list of countries that buy cocoa is not static.