Where is the international cocoa market headed? A systematic literature review based on PRISMA during the period 2020–2025

This study examines the evolution of the international cocoa market between 2020 and 2025 through a systematic review of scientific literature indexed in Scopus and Web of Science. The review is conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, with automated tools employed as complementary and exploratory support. Seventies articles addressing economic, social, and environmental dimensions of the sector were analysed. The results show a growing focus on sustainability, traceability, and value chain governance, as well as a persistent geographical concentration of research in Europe, Latin America, and North America. However, the literature presents conceptual fragmentation, heterogeneous results, and limited evidence on the real impacts of certifications and sustainable policies on the income and well-being of small producers. Finally, the review identifies relevant gaps, particularly in interregional comparative studies, methodological quality assessments and integrated analyses of the economic and social dimensions. It concludes that progress towards more equitable and resilient value chains requires greater coordination between public policies, private actors, and future research with critical and comparable approaches.