Peru Cocoa Butter HS180400 Export Data 2025 February Overview

Peru Cocoa Butter (HS 180400) 2025 February Export: Key Takeaways

Peru's Cocoa Butter (HS Code 180400) exports in February 2025 reveal a market dominated by the U.S., absorbing 55% of volume but at lower unit prices (20.30 USD/kg), signaling commodity-grade bulk trade. South American buyers like Chile and Argentina show higher value ratios, suggesting premium demand, while the Netherlands acts as a European re-export hub. Exporters should balance U.S. bulk reliance with premium regional and European opportunities. This analysis covers February 2025, based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database.

Peru Cocoa Butter (HS 180400) 2025 February Export Background

What is HS Code 180400?

HS Code 180400 refers to cocoa butter, fat, and oil, a key derivative of cocoa beans widely used in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. Its high melting point and stable texture make it essential for chocolate production, skincare products, and medicinal applications. Global demand remains steady due to its irreplaceable role in these sectors, with Peru emerging as a significant exporter given its cocoa-growing regions and processing capabilities.

Current Context and Strategic Position

Peru's cocoa butter exports under HS Code 180400 face a shifting trade landscape in February 2025, marked by broader policy changes. The U.S. implemented a 10% baseline tariff on all trading partners in April 2025 [EY Tax News], though Peru secured exemptions for 100 agricultural products, potentially including cocoa butter [Investing.com]. Meanwhile, the EU updated rules of origin under HS 2022 adjustments for preferential trade with Peru [EU Taxation]. These developments underscore Peru’s strategic role as a cocoa butter supplier, necessitating close monitoring of tariff policies and market access shifts in 2025.

Peru Cocoa Butter (HS 180400) 2025 February Export: Trend Summary

Key Observations

Peru's cocoa butter exports under HS Code 180400 for February 2025 totaled $46.39 million in value and 2.08 million kg in volume, marking a substantial trade activity for the month.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The month-over-month comparison shows a sharp decline from January 2025, with value dropping by approximately 39% and volume by 50%. This downturn aligns with typical seasonal patterns in the cocoa industry, where reduced harvesting and processing output often occur in early-year months, leading to lower export volumes. Such cycles are common in agricultural commodities like cocoa butter, where production fluctuations directly impact trade figures.

External Context and Outlook

External trade policies added volatility to the market. The US implemented a 10% baseline tariff in April 2025 [EY Tax News], which may have prompted anticipatory export adjustments in February. Peru's subsequent exemption for agricultural products, including potential coverage for cocoa butter as noted by (Investing.com), could stabilize future exports, but February's drop reflects pre-policy uncertainty and broader trade dynamics.

Peru Cocoa Butter (HS 180400) 2025 February Export: HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

In February 2025, Peru's Cocoa Butter exports under HS Code 180400 were heavily concentrated in the sub-code 1804001200 for Cocoa; butter, fat and oil. According to yTrade data, this sub-code accounted for 47.15% of the export value and 52.91% of the weight, with a unit price of 19.83 USD per kilogram, highlighting a specialization in high-volume, lower-priced bulk shipments. The minor sub-code 1804002000, with only a 0.42% value share, is isolated due to its negligible impact on the overall market structure.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining sub-codes reveal a clear division: 1804001300 and 1804001100 form a higher-grade segment with unit prices of 24.89 and 25.45 USD per kilogram, respectively, suggesting exports of refined or premium cocoa butter products. This structure indicates that Peru's Cocoa Butter trade includes both fungible bulk commodities, tied to weight-based pricing, and differentiated goods with potential quality premiums, moving beyond simple commodity trading.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

Exporters of higher-priced Cocoa Butter sub-codes likely hold stronger pricing power and margin potential, advising a strategic focus on quality upgrades. Additionally, US tariff exemptions for agricultural products, as noted by Investing.com, may reduce trade barriers and support Peru's Cocoa Butter HS Code 180400 Export in 2025 February, encouraging targeted market access efforts.

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Peru Cocoa Butter (HS 180400) 2025 February Export: Market Concentration

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

The Peru Cocoa Butter HS Code 180400 Export in 2025 February was dominated by the United States, accounting for 55.01% of weight but only 50.33% of value, indicating lower unit prices around 20.30 USD/kg, which aligns with commodity-grade products where bulk purchases drive down per-unit costs.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

Two clusters stand out: the United States with high volume and lower value per weight, likely due to mass consumption or processing needs; and South American countries like Chile, Argentina, and Brazil with higher value ratios, suggesting regional trade of standard or premium grades. A smaller cluster includes the Netherlands, with elevated value per weight, possibly acting as a re-export hub to European markets.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Exporters should capitalize on US market stability, reinforced by tariff exemptions for agricultural products [Investing.com], while targeting higher-value markets in South America and Europe to diversify away from bulk dependency and enhance profitability.

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Peru Cocoa Butter (HS 180400) 2025 February Export: Action Plan for Cocoa Butter Market Expansion

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

The Peru Cocoa Butter Export 2025 February under HS Code 180400 shows a dual market. Price is driven by product quality grades and large buyer contracts. Bulk shipments to the US have lower prices. Premium grades to other regions command higher margins. Supply chain implications include high dependency on few buyers. This creates revenue risk. Diversification into quality upgrades and new markets is key. US tariff exemptions support stable access. But over-reliance on bulk exports limits profit growth.

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

• Use HS sub-code data to prioritize exports of premium Cocoa Butter grades like 1804001300. This increases unit prices and margins for Peru Cocoa Butter Export 2025 February.
• Track high-value buyer order frequency in trade data to forecast demand cycles. This prevents inventory overstock and ensures steady revenue under HS Code 180400.
• Analyze destination value per weight data to target high-value markets in South America and Europe. This diversifies away from bulk US dependence and boosts profitability.
• Monitor trade policy updates, like US tariff exemptions, to optimize export timing and costs. This reduces barriers and expands market access for Peruvian exporters.
• Engage with low-value buyer data to identify and nurture niche customers for smaller orders. This reduces risk from buyer concentration and taps into emerging opportunities.

Take Action Now —— Explore Peru Cocoa Butter Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Peru Cocoa Butter Export 2025 February?

Peru's cocoa butter exports dropped sharply in February 2025, with value down 39% and volume down 50% month-over-month, reflecting seasonal production declines and pre-policy uncertainty ahead of US tariff adjustments.

Q2. Who are the main partner countries in this Peru Cocoa Butter Export 2025 February?

The United States dominated with 55.01% of export weight, followed by South American markets like Chile, Argentina, and Brazil, and the Netherlands as a potential European re-export hub.

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

Price gaps stem from Peru's dual export structure: bulk shipments (e.g., sub-code 1804001200 at 19.83 USD/kg) to the US versus premium grades (e.g., sub-codes 1804001300/1100 at ~25 USD/kg) to South America and Europe.

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

Exporters must prioritize high-value buyers (99.27% of trade value) while diversifying into niche markets, leveraging US tariff exemptions and targeting premium segments in South America and Europe.

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

US buyers benefit from stable bulk supply at lower prices, while South American and European buyers access higher-grade products, though reliance on few Peruvian exporters poses supply chain risks.

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

Peru’s exports serve both mass-market industrial uses (bulk cocoa butter for processed foods) and specialized applications (premium grades for gourmet chocolate or cosmetics).