2025 Peru Cocoa Beans (HS 1801) Export: Extreme Volatility

Key Takeaways

Cocoa Beans, classified under HS Code 1801 (Cocoa beans, whole or broken, raw or roasted), exhibited high volatility from January to November 2025.

• Market Pulse: Shipment volumes surged 120% by September before collapsing 78% in November, reflecting extreme seasonal swings tied to Peru’s harvest cycle and regulatory shifts.
• Structural Shift: Peru Cocoa Beans Export relies heavily on the Netherlands (19.8% of value) and a handful of Key Accounts (90.49% of revenue), creating acute concentration risk.
• Product Logic: HS Code 1801 trade data reveals a dual market—bulk beans (94.6% of volume, 6.71 USD/kg) vs. premium niches (5% volume, +40% value/kg)—highlighting untapped value segmentation.

This overview covers the period from January to November 2025 and is based on verified customs data from the yTrade database.

Peru Cocoa Beans (HS Code 1801) Key Metrics Trend

Market Trend Summary

The Peru Cocoa Beans Export trend from January to November 2025 displayed high volatility, starting with a sharp 42% month-on-month drop in weight by February, stabilizing briefly, then surging over 120% in May to peak at 40.12 million kg by September, before collapsing 78% to just 5.01 million kg in November. This pattern reflects a mid-year boom followed by a severe late-year contraction in shipment volumes.

Drivers & Industry Context

The mid-year surge aligns with Peru's primary cocoa harvest season from April to September, driving increased export availability, while the November crash likely stems from seasonal cycle endings and reduced post-harvest supply. Policy shifts, such as July 2025's simplified duty-restitution rate reductions to 1% and 0.5% of FOB value under Supreme Decrees No. 189-2024-EF and No. 197-2024-EF [Chambers Global Practice Guides], may have incentivized accelerated shipments pre-implementation, impacting the hs code 1801 value dynamics. Strengthened SUNAT enforcement on documentation and direct-shipment verification (Chambers) added compliance pressures, potentially exacerbating late-year declines as exporters adjusted to new requirements.

Table: Peru Cocoa Beans Export Trend (Source: yTrade)

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Peru HS Code 1801 Export Breakdown

Market Composition & Top Categories

Peru's HS Code 1801 export market is overwhelmingly dominated by one category: raw or roasted cocoa beans (sub-code 1801001900), which captured 94.6% of the total export weight from January to November 2025. According to yTrade data, this single sub-category accounted for 92.4% of the total export value, indicating its central role in Peru HS Code 1801 Export. The remaining exports consist of two much smaller sub-categories of cocoa beans, which together represent just over 5% of the market by weight.

Value Chain & Strategic Insights

The unit price differentials reveal a clear market segmentation: the dominant bulk category trades at 6.71 USD/kg, while the two smaller categories command premium prices of 9.58 and 9.77 USD/kg. This HS Code 1801 breakdown shows a classic dual trade structure—a high-volume, price-sensitive commodity market for standard beans coexists with a niche, quality-sensitive segment for premium grades. Exporters should recognize that the market rewards specialization, as the premium segments achieve roughly 40% higher value per kilogram despite their minor volume share.

Table: Peru HS Code 1801) Export Breakdown Details (Source: yTrade)

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Peru Cocoa Beans Destination Countries

Geographic Concentration & Market Risk

The Netherlands is Peru's dominant Cocoa Beans export destination, capturing 19.8% of total export value from January to November 2025. This heavy reliance on a single market exposes Peru to significant concentration risk, where any Dutch economic or regulatory shift could directly impact export stability. The United States and Malaysia follow distantly, underscoring a top-heavy structure for Peru Cocoa Beans export destinations that lacks diversified market depth.

Purchasing Behavior & Demand Segmentation

The Netherlands' nearly identical value and weight ratios (19.80 vs. 20.64) confirm a commodity-driven market focused on bulk processing rather than premium segmentation. Japan emerges as the quality-oriented buyer, with a value ratio 52% higher than its weight ratio, indicating strong demand for higher-margin specifications. Conversely, Italy’s high shipment frequency against moderate volume signals fragmented, frequent replenishment needs from smaller buyers. This mix defines Peru's trade partners for Cocoa Beans as offering reliable volume scale with selective premium opportunities.

Table: Peru Cocoa Beans (HS Code 1801) Top Destination Countries (Source: yTrade)

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Peru Cocoa Beans Buyer Companies Analysis

Buyer Concentration & Market Structure

According to yTrade data, the Peru Cocoa Beans buyers market is overwhelmingly dominated by Key Accounts, which represent 90.49% of total export value. These high-volume repeat buyers, including major processors like ICAM S.P.A and KAOKA, drive a stable, contract-based supply chain. This concentration indicates a mature market where long-term relationships and consistent quality are paramount for securing the bulk of export revenue.

Purchasing Behavior & Sales Strategy

The heavy reliance on a few Key Accounts creates significant concentration risk; losing even one major buyer could severely impact export volumes. Suppliers should prioritize relationship management with these core clients, offering volume-based incentives and proactive supply chain coordination to lock in long-term contracts. For smaller, opportunistic buyers demonstrating growth potential, a targeted digital strategy could help capture additional market share without diverting focus from the primary revenue drivers.

Table: Peru Cocoa Beans (HS Code 1801) Top Buyers List (Source: yTrade)

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Action Plan for Cocoa Beans Market Operation and Expansion

• Lock in Key Accounts: Secure long-term contracts with major buyers like ICAM S.P.A to stabilize revenue, leveraging volume incentives and quality consistency.
• Diversify Geographically: Reduce reliance on the Netherlands by targeting Japan’s premium market (52% higher value ratio) and Italy’s frequent-replenishment buyers.
• Capitalize on Premium Grades: Allocate 10–15% of production to high-margin beans (9.77 USD/kg), branding them as specialty lots to attract quality-driven buyers.
• Hedge Against Volatility: Use short-term contracts for mid-year harvest surges and spot sales for late-year shortages, aligning with SUNAT’s new duty policies.
• Streamline Compliance: Pre-verify documentation for direct shipments to avoid SUNAT delays, especially during peak export months.

Take Action Now —— Explore Peru Cocoa Beans HS Code 1801 Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The Peru Cocoa Beans export trend in 2025 shows extreme volatility, with a mid-year surge (120% peak in September) followed by a 78% late-year collapse. This reflects seasonal harvest cycles, policy shifts like duty reductions, and stricter compliance enforcement impacting shipment timing.

Q2. Who are the main destination countries of Peru Cocoa Beans (HS Code 1801) in 2025?

The Netherlands dominates with 19.8% of export value, followed by the U.S. and Malaysia. Japan and Italy also feature prominently, with Japan prioritizing premium grades and Italy requiring frequent, smaller shipments.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across destination countries of Peru Cocoa Beans Export in 2025?

Price gaps stem from product segmentation: bulk raw/roasted beans (94.6% of volume, 6.71 USD/kg) trade at a 40% discount to niche premium grades (9.58–9.77 USD/kg), with Japan disproportionately buying higher-value categories.

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

Prioritize Key Accounts (90.49% of export value) with volume incentives, while selectively targeting premium buyers like Japan. Diversify away from over-reliance on the Netherlands to mitigate geographic concentration risk.

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

Buyers face a dual market: bulk purchasers (e.g., Netherlands) benefit from stable commodity supply, while premium buyers (e.g., Japan) can leverage Peru’s niche high-grade offerings. Frequent small buyers (e.g., Italy) must adapt to volatile shipment cycles.

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

Peru’s exports are primarily raw or roasted cocoa beans (94.6% by weight), destined for bulk processing (Netherlands) or premium chocolate production (Japan), reflecting a split between commodity and specialty demand.

Detailed Monthly and Quarterly Report

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