KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's cocoa sector has not yet achieved a satisfactory level of self-sustainability, according to Plantations and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.
He noted that the production of cocoa beans in the country has declined significantly.
"At one point in the past, Malaysia's cocoa bean production reached as high as 225,000 tonnes, compared to the current output of only around 500 tonnes.
"The decreasing production of cocoa beans in Malaysia has led to many industries that produce cocoa products having to import cocoa beans from abroad.
"However, due to Malaysia's strong capabilities in the midstream and downstream sectors of the cocoa industry, we have become the fifth largest cocoa grinder in the world," he said after an official working visit to the Malaysian Cocoa Board (LKM) recently.
As such, Johari suggested that a key focus for the local cocoa sector should be on enhancing technological development in the midstream and downstream sectors, as well as engaging in value-added activities.
At the same time, the ministry will study how to systematically redevelop the production of cocoa beans to gradually meet the necessary domestic demand.
Also present during the working visit were Agriculture and Commodities deputy minister Datuk Chan Foong Hin, LKM chairman Datuk Matbali Musah and LKM director-general Datuk Dr Ramle Kasin.