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New chocolate rules pressure the industry, raise debate over cocoa content, and may transform Brazilian agribusiness.
The Brazilian chocolate industry began a race against time after the sanction of Law No. 15,404, signed by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in May 2026. The new legislation changes the criteria for composition, labeling, and classification of cocoa-derived products sold in the country.
According to information from Globo Rural on May 18, the main change involves the cocoa content required for a product to be officially called chocolate. The minimum percentage increased from 25% to 35% cocoa solids. The sector will have 360 days to adapt to the new rules.
While producers celebrate the appreciation of the raw material, industry representatives express concern about costs, logistics, and a possible increase in prices on the shelves.
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New chocolate rules change composition and raise industry requirements
The new rules have created significant changes for different product categories. In addition to increasing the cocoa content in traditional chocolate, the legislation also altered the criteria for white chocolate, milk chocolate, and cocoa powder.
Now, white chocolate must maintain at least:
- 20% cocoa butter
- 14% total milk solids
The legislation also limited the use of other vegetable fats in chocolate to just 5%. The measure reduces the space for substituting cocoa butter with hydrogenated fats.
For industry experts, this change brings the Brazilian market closer to international quality standards.
Cocoa agribusiness sees appreciation of Brazilian raw material
Agribusiness representatives celebrated the approval of the law. Guilherme Moura, director of the Federation of Agriculture of Bahia (Faeb), believes that the measure increases transparency for the consumer and strengthens rural producers.
According to him, the trend is for the market to value chocolates with higher quality and more cocoa in the composition. This could boost investments in national production over the coming years.
Brazil produces about 200 thousand tons of cocoa beans per year, according to data from the National Association of Cocoa Processing Industries (AIPC). Even so, the country still depends on imports.
In 2025, approximately 42 thousand tons of cocoa were imported to meet the demand of the national industry.
Industry fears cost increase with higher cocoa content
Part of the chocolate industry believes that the changes may pressure the final prices of products. The main reason is the higher cost of raw materials in the international market.
In recent years, cocoa has seen a strong global appreciation after climatic problems in African producing countries, especially Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana.
With the new rules requiring higher cocoa content, manufacturers will need to use larger volumes of the ingredient in formulations.
Among the main concerns of the sector are:
- increase in industrial costs
- possible rise in consumer prices
- reduction in the consumption of popular products
- greater need for imports
Sources linked to the industry state that the Brazilian consumer is still quite sensitive to the price of chocolate.
Cocoa Innovation Center advocates for improved product quality
Adriana Reis, education and intelligence manager at the Cocoa Innovation Center (CIC), believes that the legislation helps combat products with low real cocoa content.
According to the specialist, many items sold in the market used flavorings, excessive sugar, colorings, and vegetable fat to simulate taste and texture similar to traditional chocolate.
She assesses that the Brazilian consumer has become accustomed to products less intense in cocoa and more focused on sugar and fat.
For Adriana Reis, the new rules may encourage improvements in the quality of the almonds produced in Brazil and promote a more sophisticated chain.
Changes in agribusiness and import restrictions worry the sector
In addition to changes in the composition of chocolate, the sector also faces changes in cocoa import rules.
In March 2026, the federal government published Provisional Measure 1.341/2026. The rule reduced the drawback regime period for cocoa importation from two years to six months.
This mechanism allows for the import of inputs without tax payment when intended for the production of exported goods.
The change displeased part of the industry because it reduced the available time to import, process, and export cocoa derivatives.
Another point that concerns manufacturers is the suspension of cocoa purchases from Côte d’Ivoire since February, due to sanitary issues.
Major brands claim they already follow standards above the new law
Some companies stated that they already work with high levels of cocoa in their products. Cacau Show reported that their formulations already exceed the new minimum percentages defined by the legislation.
According to the company, the change reinforces the quality of the brand’s products and will not require significant alterations in their recipes.
The Brazilian Association of the Chocolate, Cocoa, Peanut, Candy, and Derivatives Industry (Abicab) also highlighted that the sector follows Anvisa norms and international references from the Codex Alimentarius.
Companies like Nestlé and Dengo preferred not to comment on the matter.
Consumers may notice changes in the taste and prices of chocolate
The new rules are expected to have visible impacts for consumers in the coming months. Products with a lower amount of cocoa may no longer officially use the word chocolate on their packaging.
Experts also believe that there may be significant changes in:
- flavor
- texture
- quality
- composition
- price range
The trend follows an international movement to value chocolates with a higher concentration of cocoa and fewer artificial ingredients.
National production may gain strength with the advancement of Brazilian cocoa
The current scenario has also opened up space for debates about expanding national production. States like Bahia and Pará continue to lead investments related to the cocoa agribusiness.
In recent years, producers have expanded initiatives focused on agricultural technology, sustainable management, and the quality of the beans.
With the increased demand for cocoa content, experts believe that Brazil may accelerate investments to reduce external dependence and strengthen the national industry.
The movement could generate significant impacts throughout the production chain, from the field to supermarkets.
Brazilian chocolate market enters a new phase of transformation
The new rules have created a historic change for the chocolate industry in Brazil. The increase in required cocoa content, restrictions on the use of vegetable fats, and changes in labeling are expected to transform recipes, commercial strategies, and consumption habits.
At the same time, producers linked to agribusiness see a rare opportunity to enhance the value of national production.
The sector’s adaptation will depend on the industry’s ability to balance costs, quality, and supply of raw materials. Meanwhile, consumers should find products closer to international standards and with a higher real presence of cocoa in the composition.
With information from Globo Rural
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