Peru Cocoa Butter HS180400 Export Data 2025 May Overview

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

Peru's Cocoa Butter exports under HS Code 180400 in May 2025 reveal a premium-quality product, with the United States dominating as the top importer, paying higher unit prices that signal strong demand for high-grade supply. The market shows concentrated buyer risk, with the US accounting for 37.75% of export value, while emerging clusters like Germany and Argentina present diversification opportunities. This analysis, covering May 2025, is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database. Exporters should prioritize quality control to maintain premium positioning in key markets and leverage trade agreements for growth.

Peru Cocoa Butter (HS 180400) 2025 May Export Background

What is HS Code 180400?

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

Current Context and Strategic Position

In 2025, Peru's Cocoa Butter HS Code 180400 Export landscape is shaped by evolving trade policies. The EU updated its preferential trade rules with Peru under the HS 2022 revision, affecting product-specific origin criteria [EU Taxation and Customs]. Meanwhile, the US implemented a 10% baseline tariff on all trading partners, though exemptions for select Peruvian agricultural exports may apply (EY Tax News). Peru’s role as a cocoa butter exporter is strategically significant, leveraging its agro-industrial capacity to meet global demand. Market participants must monitor tariff adjustments and trade agreement updates to navigate 2025 May trade dynamics effectively.

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

Key Observations

Peru's Cocoa Butter exports under HS Code 180400 for May 2025 reached 41.79 million USD in value and 2.01 million kg in volume, marking the lowest monthly performance this year and continuing a decline from April.

Price and Volume Dynamics

The data reveals high volatility from January to May 2025, with peaks in January (75.89M USD) and March (83.31M USD), and troughs in February, April, and May. This fluctuation is typical for cocoa-derived products like Cocoa Butter, which often experience seasonal supply shifts due to harvest cycles—Peru's main cocoa harvest occurs from April to July, potentially increasing domestic supply but reducing immediate export urgency as processors stockpile. Month-over-month, May's value dropped 12% from April, while volume fell slightly, indicating possible price pressure or demand softening amid seasonal abundance.

External Context and Outlook

The decline aligns with broader trade policy changes, notably the US 10% tariff implemented in April 2025 [EY Tax News], which raised export costs for Peruvian goods. However, exemptions for approximately 100 agricultural products [Investing.com] may cushion Cocoa Butter exports if included. Concurrent EU rule updates under HS 2022 [EC Taxation] require compliance adjustments, potentially affecting future trade flows and stability for Peru's 2025 exports.

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

Product Specialization and Concentration

In May 2025, Peru's exports of Cocoa Butter under HS Code 180400 were heavily concentrated in a single sub-code, 1804001200, which accounted for over half of the total export value and weight. This sub-code, described as "Cocoa; butter, fat and oil," had a unit price of 19.46 USD per kilogram, but yTrade data reveals a significant disparity with sub-code 1804002000, which commanded a higher price of 24.65 USD per kilogram, indicating a specialized, potentially premium product variant within the same category.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The export structure for Peru Cocoa Butter HS Code 180400 in 2025 May shows a clear division into two main grades: a standard bulk grade represented by sub-codes like 1804001200 and 1804001300 with unit prices around 19 USD per kilogram, and a higher-value premium grade under 1804002000 at nearly 25 USD per kilogram. This suggests a market for differentiated goods rather than purely fungible commodities, with exports tailored to specific quality or processing stages, though all fall under the same broad product description.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

For exporters of Peru Cocoa Butter, the grade differentiation implies that focus on premium products like those under 1804002000 can yield better pricing power and margins, while standard grades face more competitive, index-linked pricing. In the context of 2025 Export trends, leveraging this structure could help navigate broader trade dynamics, though no specific policy changes directly impact Cocoa Butter based on available information.

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

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

In May 2025, Peru's Cocoa Butter exports under HS Code 180400 were heavily concentrated, with the United States dominating as the top importer by both value and weight. The United States held a 37.75% value share versus a 35.98% weight share, indicating a higher unit price that suggests premium quality cocoa butter. This disparity points to the US market valuing higher-grade products for Peru Cocoa Butter HS Code 180400 Export 2025 May.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

Two main clusters emerge: high-value importers like the United States and Argentina, where value shares exceed weight shares, likely due to demand for quality in food manufacturing. Germany forms a separate cluster with a lower value per weight, possibly for bulk or industrial use. Smaller markets such as Chile and Canada show consistent but modest imports, driven by regional trade ties or niche applications.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

Exporters should prioritize quality control to sustain high-value markets like the US, where agricultural exemptions under recent US tariff policies may offer advantages [Investing.com]. Compliance with updated EU trade rules is crucial for access to European markets. Diversifying into emerging clusters could reduce reliance on dominant partners and leverage Peru's trade agreements.

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

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

The Peru Cocoa Butter Export 2025 May under HS Code 180400 shows a market driven by quality grades and geographic demand. Price is set by premium products, like those in sub-code 1804002000, which command higher prices. The US market pays more for quality. Supply chains face risks from buyer concentration. Peru must secure supply and act as a processing hub. Geopolitical factors, such as US tariff exemptions, influence costs.

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

• Prioritize exports of premium-grade cocoa butter under HS Code 1804002000. This captures higher margins and improves pricing power.
• Secure long-term contracts with dominant, high-frequency buyers. This stabilizes revenue and reduces vulnerability to demand changes.
• Use trade data to identify and enter emerging markets beyond the US. This diversifies risk and leverages Peru's trade agreements.
• Monitor international trade policies for compliance, especially in the US and EU. This avoids disruptions and capitalizes on exemptions.
• Analyze buyer frequency data to align production with stock cycles. This prevents inventory overstock and optimizes operations.

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 May?

Peru's Cocoa Butter exports in May 2025 declined to 41.79M USD, the lowest monthly performance of the year, due to seasonal harvest cycles and potential demand softening. US tariff policies and EU rule updates also contributed to volatility.

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

The United States dominated with a 37.75% value share, followed by Argentina and Germany, which formed distinct clusters based on quality preferences and bulk industrial demand.

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

Price differences stem from grade specialization: sub-code 1804002000 (premium at 24.65 USD/kg) commanded higher prices in markets like the US, while bulk-grade sub-codes (e.g., 1804001200 at 19.46 USD/kg) targeted cost-sensitive buyers.

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

Exporters should prioritize premium-grade products (e.g., 1804002000) for high-value markets like the US, while diversifying buyers to reduce reliance on the dominant cluster (98.75% of value).

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

Buyers in the US and Argentina benefit from consistent premium-quality supply, while bulk buyers (e.g., Germany) face competitive pricing but limited differentiation.

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

Cocoa Butter is primarily traded for food manufacturing, with premium grades used in high-end confectionery and bulk grades for industrial applications like cosmetics or lower-cost chocolate production.