Sarawak has the potential to strengthen cocoa industry, reduce supply gaps

MELAKA, Oct 17: Sarawak has the potential to strengthen the country's cocoa industry through expansion of cultivation area and production of high value added chocolate products, thus helping to reduce the supply gap for dried cocoa beans that are now heavily dependent on imports over the next two to three years.

Acting Director General of the Malaysian Cocoa Board Shari Fuddin Sha'ari said efforts to expand coconut cultivation in Sarawak, apart from Sabah, a major producer state, could boost local raw material supply when new crops start producing.

He said that the expansion of the industry should also be accompanied by efforts to strengthen the cultivation activities so that farmers can not only rely on the sale of dried coconut seeds, but instead can explore processing for chocolate products offering higher added value.

"We see a lot more potential in the cocoa industry chain. From dried cocoa beans, we can produce chocolate products and bring the processing technology to interested farmers and entrepreneurs", he said as he met at the inaugural A Malaysian Cocoa Affair 2026 here today.

Earlier, the inauguration was done by Minister of Agriculture and Commodities Dr Noraini Ahmad.

Shari Fuddin said that the Malaysian Cocoa Board is also pioneering the production of cocoa-based chocolate products from Sarawak through an approachsingle origin (single source), with dried coconut seeds from four locations processed at the Cluster Cooperative Research Centre in Samara City.

"Coconut seeds from different locations have distinct taste and aroma characteristics that are influenced by factors such as growing areas and processing methods, thus opening the door to chocolate production with a unique identity.

"This uniqueness can be used by traders to produce a variety of chocolate formulations, including blending local cocoa beans with ingredients such as Melaka sugar", he said.

He said the approach also has the potential to attract more entrepreneurs, especially younger generations to venture into the cocoa industry by focusing on innovation, product development and marketing.

Meanwhile, Shari Fuddin said the farmers' interest in cultivating cocoa crops is still encouraging, with some of them also applying for help to start or expand cultivation.

He said the allocations received under the latest Malaysia Plan (RMK) also supported efforts to expand cocoa crop area, thus giving the industry an opportunity to continue growing.

"Increased local production is expected to reduce the supply gap for dry cocoa beans from abroad. It also creates greater economic opportunities for farmers and entrepreneurs through the production of waste products", he said. -TVS