Chan Foong Hin (left) and Wilfred Ng officiated the launching of ‘Single Estate Kota Marudu Chocolate’ which is made of 68% Kota Marudu, Sabah dark chocolate.
CHERAS JAYA : – Deputy Minister of Plantation and Commodities, Datuk Chan Foong Hin, today, officiated the launching of ‘Single Estate Kota Marudu Chocolate’ which is made of 68% Kota Marudu dark chocolate.
Also in attendance is the Managing Director of Benns Ethicoa, Wilfred Ng and representatives from the Malaysian Cocoa Board.
‘Single Estate Kota Marudu Chocolate’ is processed at Benns Ethicoa Chocolate factory, using cocoa beans from Kota Marudu, Sabah.
Benns Ethicoa has made a collaboration with the Malaysian Cocoa Board, to source the cocoa beans produced by a Sabah cocoa farmer, Poimon Dangkat.
This latest single source chocolate is one of the bean-to-bar products range of Benns Ethicoa.
The ministry lauds the effort by local chocolatiers that produce fine quality and single source beans as it is in line with the effort of making Malaysia as a premium beans and chocolates producers.
“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,” said Chan.
Currently, the cocoa industry is attracting the interest in cocoa farmers and plantation as the price of cocoa beans soared up to three folds, which is RM18-RM23/kg and the demand of cocoa beans keeps increasing.
Chan added that the cocoa industry has made a substantial contribution to the national GDP, with export revenue from January to August 2024 reaching RM8.873 billion, representing 98% of the RM9 billion target for the year.
He highlighted that semi-finished cocoa products, such as cocoa butter, cocoa powder, and chocolate products, are among the key contributors to this
achievement.
This, he said, underscores the continued significance of the cocoa commodity as a catalyst for the nation’s economic growth.
The ministry, through Malaysian Cocoa Board is undertaking efforts to increase the local beans production through cocoa farm revitalising program, new cocoa planting areas and utilisation of modern technology and R&D efforts in managing cocoa farm.
