{"id":23407,"date":"2021-10-13T07:35:10","date_gmt":"2021-10-13T07:35:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bartalks.net\/?p=23407"},"modified":"2021-10-13T07:36:04","modified_gmt":"2021-10-13T07:36:04","slug":"malaysias-cocoa-production-and-distribution-ambition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bartalks.net\/malaysias-cocoa-production-and-distribution-ambition\/","title":{"rendered":"MALAYSIA’S COCOA PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION AMBITION"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Malaysia\u2019s role in the cocoa industry is often overshadowed by the giants in West Africa or even their cousins in Indonesia. In fact, according to different estimates, they are either the 5th or 6th biggest cocoa processor in the world and the second-largest in Asia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Malaysia has a different approach to cocoa, with a focus on production rather than growing. Indeed, this is borne out in the contributions  GDP makes to agriculture, with Malaysia, at 7.1% of GDP from agriculture, compared to 13.7% for that of Indonesia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cocoa farming industry by contrast is tiny with only 5,200 farmers and estimated production of a meagre 1,000 tonnes, putting it firmly in the specialist category.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That is starting to look like a smart decision considering the problems associated with growing the crop. Indonesia\u2019s cocoa output has been steadily falling and last year they produced 200,000 tons, about a third less than they achieved in 2016\/17.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Malaysia by contrast over the same period has grown their grinding output from 216,000 tons to a projected 335,000 tons this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Malaysia Cocoa Grinding Numbers, 2020\/21 Estimated<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

With the market for chocolate in Asia forecast to grow, Minister of Plantation Industries and Commodities in Malaysia Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin smells an opportunity. She wants to see the country become the de facto hub for ASEAN grinding and distribution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n