In Malaysia, the Sabah state is the country’s main producer of cocoa beans, accounting for 57% of the 3,444 hectares under cocoa cultivation in Malaysia, said Deputy Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Siti Aminah Aching.
Datuk Aminah said the state contributed to the production of cocoa beans for premium chocolate including Bean-To-Bar chocolate, Single Origin chocolate and Artisanal Chocolate which are produced by cocoa farmers in Kota Marudu and Keningau.
She emphasised that cocoa cultivation can be further promoted in Malaysia and farmers require further assistance in research and advisory services to improve the quality of their cocoa plantations.
This year, the Malaysian Cocoa Board (LKM) will implement the New Planting Project (TB23) with a target area of ??200 hectares throughout the country; with 100 hectares in Sabah, 80 hectares in Sarawak and the remaining 20 hectares in Peninsula (West) Malaysia.
The Malaysian Cocoa Board Strategic Plan (PSLKM) is to increase cocoa production and promote cocoa sustainability while raising the income of farmers and enterpreneurs in the cocoa and chocolate industry.
Datuk Aminah mentioned that the downstream industry in Sabah currently comprises of 4 chocolate and cocoa confection companies and 34 local chocolate entrepreneurs. In 2022, the turnover of chocolate entrepreneurs in Sabah amounted to only RM792,351 (US$176,000), a small amount which translates to huge growth potential in the future.
