3.2 Global trade and cocoa SPS regulations

The following Sankey diagram (Fig 1.4) graphically illustrates the flow complexity of global trade in cocoa beans with European countries importing over 60% of cocoa beans traded, this goes some way to explain why emphasis has been placed on European import tolerances.

However, the USA - and increasingly Asia - are also major importers of cocoa beans for processing and consumption.

Figure 1.4 Export flow of cocoa beans and recipient importing regions during the 2019/2020 season. Source: ICCO

The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), under the auspices of FAO, maintains a database on country legislation for phytosanitary requirements, restrictions and prohibitions here: https://www.ippc.int/ en/countries/all/legislation/