Peruvian cacao continues to gain ground in international trade. In 2025, exports of cacao and its derivatives reached USD 1.565 billion, representing a 22.4% increase compared to the previous year, according to PROMPERÚ.
This performance reflects growing demand for Peru’s cacao products while highlighting new opportunities related to value addition, quality, and the ability to meet international buyers’ requirements.
Cacao Beans Maintain Their Leading Position
Cacao beans continue to be Peru’s leading cacao export product. In 2025, exports reached approximately USD 913 million, consolidating their position as one of the most important products in the country’s export portfolio.
Cacao beans accounted for 58.3% of total exports of cacao and its derivatives in 2025, demonstrating their importance in the sector’s international trade.
However, the sector’s growth does not depend solely on export volumes. To maintain sustainable business relationships with international buyers, factors such as fermentation, drying, storage, and consistency across batches are becoming increasingly important.
These processes help preserve cacao’s characteristics and contribute to a more stable and reliable supply for international markets.
Fine-Flavor Cacao as a Competitive Advantage
Another key strength of Peru lies in the diversity of its cacao. According to PROMPERÚ, approximately 75% of Peruvian cacao exports consist of fine-flavor and/or aromatic cacao.
This characteristic allows the country to compete in specialized markets and differentiate its products through origin, quality, and the distinctive characteristics of each cacao variety.
Derivatives Gain Ground and Create Greater Value
In 2025, cacao-derived products also recorded significant growth. Cacao paste exports increased by 63.1%, while cacao powder exports grew by 65.5%.
In addition to the growth recorded by cacao paste and powder, chocolate exports increased by 14.9% over the same period.
These figures show that the growth of Peruvian cacao is not limited to bean exports but also extends to products that undergo a higher degree of processing.
Opportunities to Generate Greater Value Added
The growth of cacao derivatives highlights an opportunity for Peru to expand its participation in the international cacao value chain through products with higher levels of processing.
Developing an offering that combines cacao beans with products such as cacao paste, powder, butter, and chocolate can help generate greater value at the source and open up new commercial opportunities for the domestic industry.
New Opportunities in International Markets
Europe continues to be a strategic market for Peruvian cacao. Participation in international events creates new business opportunities and strengthens Peru’s visibility as a cacao supplier.
In 2026, the participation of Peruvian organizations in Chocoa, held in Amsterdam, generated approximately USD 3.2 million in business opportunities, according to PROMPERÚ.
Participation in these types of events helps connect Peruvian suppliers with international buyers and provides a more direct understanding of market trends and requirements.
Traceability, Sustainability, and Consistent Quality
International markets are also introducing new requirements for suppliers. Traceability, sustainability, product origin, and the ability to maintain consistent quality are becoming increasingly important to buyers.
Strengthening these aspects can therefore become a key factor in maintaining and developing long-term business relationships.
Challenges to Strengthening International Competitiveness
In this context, one of the main challenges for Peruvian cacao will be to turn export growth into a stronger commercial position in the international market.
To achieve this, it will be important to continue strengthening quality, value addition, and Peru’s reliability as a supplier.
The growth achieved in 2025 represents an opportunity to further establish Peru as a competitive and differentiated origin in the global cacao market.
Learn more about CEA and our cacao offering, designed for buyers who value quality, traceability, and consistency.
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