SITCSection 0

Cocoa Paste (Cocoa Liquor), Not Defatted

Name: Cocoa Paste (Cocoa Liquor), Not Defatted (SITC 07231) -- U.S. Import Data
Creator: U.S. Census Bureau
License: https://www.census.gov/about/policies/open-gov/open-data.html

SITC 07231Basic heading5-digit

U.S. imports · July 2026: $77.5M; YTD $726.2M

U.S. exports · July 2026: $13.0M

Balance · July 2026: Sign in free to see the trade balance

Sign in free to see the trade balance and the full top 5 in every module.

Balance · July 2026: Loading the trade balance

U.S. imports of cocoa paste (cocoa liquor), not defatted (SITC 07231) totaled $77.5M in July 2026, traded with 22 countries.

Cocoa Paste (Cocoa Liquor), Not Defatted imports of $77.5M in July 2026 ran 25% below the year-to-date monthly average of $103.7M.

Last updated: July 2026 data

Cocoa paste — also known in the trade as cocoa liquor or cocoa mass — is the intermediate product formed by grinding roasted cocoa nibs into a fluid mass that contains all the natural cocoa butter. As the direct precursor to both cocoa butter and cocoa powder, it is a critical input for chocolate manufacturers and is traded in bulk liquid or solidified block form. FDA requires Prior Notice and facility registration for imported cocoa paste, and the product must meet FDA's standard of identity for chocolate liquor. Origin and fermentation quality significantly influence flavor, making supplier traceability documentation increasingly important to buyers operating under sustainability and quality assurance programs.

AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.

266 shipments/mo

12-month trend

ImportsExports

Imports

$77.5MYoY · Pro

Exports

$13.0MYoY · Pro

12-mo low · imports

YoY · Pro

$158.2M$0

June 2025December 2025July 2026

Through July 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.

Suppliers

Supplier Network

Are you a supplier of this product?

Get discovered by U.S. importers searching for HS 07231 — Cocoa Paste (Cocoa Liquor), Not Defatted. Be the first supplier listed.

Balance · July 2026: Sign in free to see the trade balance

Sign in free to see the trade balance and the full top 5 in every module.

Basic heading 46 of 337 in section 0

Share of section 0 imports0.54%

Basic heading 07231 · $77.5M of $14.4B

Where it comes from, where it lands, what it pays

Imports · July 2026

Countries

origin

Cote D'Ivoire and Ecuador together supply 65% of it.

Sign in free to see the top 5 →

Districts

customs district

Census does not publish district detail for this classification system.

States

destination

Census does not publish state detail for this classification system.

Ports

entry

Census does not publish port detail for this classification system.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'cocoa paste' and 'cocoa butter' for classification and purchasing purposes?

Cocoa paste (liquor) is the whole ground cocoa nib, containing both cocoa solids and cocoa butter in their natural proportions — typically around 50–55% fat. Cocoa butter is the pure fat fraction separated from the paste by hydraulic pressing. They are distinct commodities with different trade classifications, pricing dynamics, and end uses; cocoa paste is the input from which both cocoa butter and cocoa powder are derived.

Does cocoa paste require any special handling or packaging documentation at US entry?

Cocoa paste imported in bulk liquid form requires temperature-controlled transport and storage, and importers should document handling conditions to support quality claims. FDA Prior Notice must be filed before arrival, and the foreign establishment must be registered with FDA. If the paste is certified organic or carries origin-specific quality designations, supporting third-party certification documents should accompany the commercial invoice.