Indonesia Cocoa Butter HS180400 Export Data 2025 May Overview

Indonesia Cocoa Butter (HS 180400) 2025 May Export: Key Takeaways

Indonesia’s cocoa butter exports (HS Code 180400) in May 2025 were dominated by bulk shipments to the US, which accounted for 32.7% of export value, reflecting stable demand for standard-grade product. European markets like the Netherlands and France showed higher value-to-weight ratios, signaling premium processing demand, while Asia leaned toward cost-effective sourcing. The US and Europe’s concentrated buying power presents both opportunity and supply chain risk, requiring exporters to balance compliance with new regulations like export proceeds retention. This analysis, covering May 2025, is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database.

Indonesia Cocoa Butter (HS 180400) 2025 May Export Background

Indonesia’s Cocoa Butter (HS Code 180400), a key ingredient in chocolate and cosmetics, drives global demand due to its use in confectionery and skincare industries. Under new export regulations like GR 8/2025, Indonesia requires cocoa exporters to retain proceeds domestically for 12 months, tightening trade flows [Orrick]. As the world’s top exporter of HS Code 180400 products, Indonesia’s 2025 May shipments—including deodorized cocoa butter to Canada and Poland—highlight its strategic role in meeting international demand [Volza].

Indonesia Cocoa Butter (HS 180400) 2025 May Export: Trend Summary

Key Observations

In May 2025, Indonesia's cocoa butter exports under HS Code 180400 surged to $235.73 million in value with a volume of 12.02 million kg, marking a strong recovery from the previous month.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The May performance shows a sharp month-over-month increase from April's $158.69 million and 7.77 million kg, reflecting typical seasonal demand cycles in the cocoa processing industry where post-harvest processing often peaks in mid-year. This rebound suggests efficient stock management and aligned export scheduling, avoiding the April dip which may have been influenced by temporary logistical or production adjustments.

External Context and Outlook

Indonesia's new export regulations, such as the requirement to retain 100% of export proceeds in local banks for 12 months under [GR 8/2025], likely contributed to April's volatility as exporters adapted, but May's spike indicates compliance and renewed momentum. Looking ahead, sustained export growth for Indonesia Cocoa Butter HS Code 180400 Export 2025 May will depend on navigating these policies while leveraging global demand shifts.

Indonesia Cocoa Butter (HS 180400) 2025 May Export: HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

In May 2025, Indonesia's export of Cocoa Butter under HS Code 180400 was entirely concentrated in a single product line, HS Code 18040000, described as "Cocoa; butter, fat and oil". This sub-code accounted for all export value and weight, with a unit price of 19.61 USD per kilogram, indicating a highly specialized and undiversified export structure for Indonesia Cocoa Butter HS Code 180400 Export 2025 May.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

With only one sub-code present, the export consists solely of cocoa butter, fat, and oil in a bulk form, suggesting a trade in fungible commodities rather than differentiated finished goods. This structure implies that Indonesia's exports are likely tied to global commodity indices, with pricing influenced by standard quality grades rather than brand or processing differentiation.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

The lack of product diversification means Indonesia's pricing power for Cocoa Butter exports is constrained by global market fluctuations. Exporters must manage risks associated with commodity price volatility. Recent regulations, such as the requirement to retain 100% of export proceeds in Indonesian banks for 12 months under GR 8/2025 [Permitindo], may further impact liquidity and strategic pricing decisions for Indonesia Cocoa Butter HS Code 180400 Export 2025 May.

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Indonesia Cocoa Butter (HS 180400) 2025 May Export: Market Concentration

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

In May 2025, Indonesia's cocoa butter exports under HS Code 180400 showed strong geographic concentration, with the United States dominating as the top importer, accounting for 32.67% of export value and 32.87% of weight. The close match between value and weight ratios suggests a stable unit price, indicating that the US primarily imports standard-grade cocoa butter for consistent industrial use, such as in food manufacturing. This pattern points to the US as a key bulk buyer driving Indonesia's export volume during this period.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The importers form three clear clusters: first, the United States stands alone as the bulk buyer; second, European nations like the Netherlands, Estonia, and France show high value shares relative to their size, likely due to their roles as processing hubs for chocolate and confectionery products; and third, countries like India and China have lower value-to-weight ratios, possibly reflecting demand for lower-cost cocoa butter for local food industries or re-export. These clusters align with global cocoa supply chains, where Europe focuses on high-value processing, while Asia emphasizes cost-effective sourcing.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

For Indonesian cocoa butter exporters, the concentrated demand from the US and Europe means prioritizing reliable supply chains to these markets, but they must also adapt to new regulations, such as retaining export proceeds in local banks for 12 months under [Orrick], which could impact cash flow. To mitigate risks, exporters should diversify into emerging markets like India or Turkey, while ensuring compliance with downstream processing incentives highlighted in recent trade policies (Orrick).

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Indonesia Cocoa Butter (HS 180400) 2025 May Export: Action Plan for Cocoa Butter Market Expansion

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

Indonesia's Cocoa Butter Export 2025 May under HS Code 180400 operates as a pure commodity market. Price is driven by global cocoa indices and standard quality grades, not product differentiation. Supply chain implications focus on bulk processing for major industrial buyers, primarily in the U.S. and Europe. New financial regulations, like mandatory 12-month retention of export proceeds, add cash flow constraints to this commodity-driven model.

Action Plan: Data-Driven Steps for Cocoa Butter Market Execution

• Use transaction frequency data to forecast demand cycles from top U.S. and EU buyers. This prevents overstock and aligns production with confirmed orders.
• Analyze unit price variations by destination to identify premium markets like the Netherlands. Adjust sales focus to maximize value per shipment.
• Monitor emerging buyers in clusters like India for gradual diversification. This reduces over-reliance on dominant partners and spreads market risk.
• Track regulatory updates on export proceeds retention to optimize payment terms with buyers. This maintains liquidity under new financial rules.
• Leverage HS Code 180400 shipment data to verify consistency in quality documentation. This ensures compliance with international grade standards and avoids rejections.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Indonesia Cocoa Butter Export 2025 May?

The surge in May 2025 to $235.73M (12.02M kg) reflects seasonal demand peaks post-harvest, rebounding from April's dip caused by temporary logistical adjustments and new export regulations.

Q2. Who are the main partner countries in this Indonesia Cocoa Butter Export 2025 May?

The United States dominates with 32.67% of export value, followed by European hubs like the Netherlands and France, which process cocoa for high-value confectionery.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across Indonesia Cocoa Butter Export 2025 May partner countries?

All exports are concentrated in undifferentiated bulk cocoa butter (HS Code 18040000), so price differences stem from regional demand—higher in processing hubs (Europe) versus cost-sensitive markets (Asia).

Q4. What should exporters in Indonesia focus on in the current Cocoa Butter export market?

Prioritize relationships with dominant high-volume buyers (99.19% of value) while diversifying to emerging markets like India to mitigate reliance on the US and Europe.

Q5. What does this Indonesia Cocoa Butter export pattern mean for buyers in partner countries?

Buyers benefit from stable bulk supply but face dependency risks; US industrial users secure consistent quality, while European processors leverage Indonesia’s commodity-grade output.

Q6. How is Cocoa Butter typically used in this trade flow?

Exported as bulk cocoa butter, fat, and oil (HS 18040000), primarily for industrial food manufacturing, such as chocolate production or confectionery ingredients.