KAJANG: Malaysia's cocoa industry have registered a total export revenue of RM8.87 billion as of August 2024, representing 98 per cent of the RM9 billion target for the year, said Deputy Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin.
Chan highlighted that this success is attributable to significant contributions from semi-finished cocoa products, such as cocoa butter, cocoa powder, and chocolate products.
The achievement also underscores the continued significance of the cocoa commodity as a catalyst for the nation's economic growth, which has made a substantial contribution to the national gross domestic product, he said.
"Currently, the cocoa industry is attracting the interest of cocoa farmers and plantations as the price of cocoa beans soared up to three-fold, which is between RM18 per kilogramme (kg) and RM23 per kg, and the demand for cocoa beans keeps increasing.
"The ministry, through the Malaysian Cocoa Board (LKM), is undertaking efforts to increase the local bean production through cocoa farm revitalising programme, new cocoa planting areas and utilisation of modern technology in managing cocoa farms," he added.
Chan said this in a press conference after launching the "Single Estate Kota Marudu Chocolate" by Benns Ethicoa Chocolate Factory Sdn Bhd at its production factory near here today.
Benns Ethicoa has collaborated with the LKM to source the cocoa beans produced by a local Sabahan cocoa farmer, Poimon Dangkat, 62, on a two-hectare cocoa farm in Kota Marudu.
According to Chan, the ministry lauded the efforts of local chocolatiers that produce fine quality and single-source beans, which is in line with the effort of making Malaysia a premium beans and chocolate producer.
"This initiative represents a concerted effort by LKM to serve as a bridge in establishing a supply network for cocoa beans, connecting cocoa bean producers with users.
"Therefore, I strongly encourage the continued expansion of this endeavour to further strengthen the development of the national cocoa industry, particularly by involving private companies like Benns, which remain committed to supporting cocoa farmers," he noted.