KOTA KINABALU – As the main cocoa bean producer in the country, Sabah will now focus on cocoa downstream activities to increase the value of cocoa’s semi-finished and end products.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said that the government will be promoting the commodity as part of its strategy.
He said that last year, Sabah exported RM16.16 million worth of cocoa and cocoa products, 10.6% (RM7.72 million) of which was chocolate.
“Sabah remains the main contributor to the nation’s cocoa production – having made up 59% (540 metric tonnes) of the nation’s cocoa bean production last year,” he said when launching the Sabah Cocoa Festival 2022 at Imago Shopping Mall here today.
The minister added that 57% of the nation’s cocoa plantation area – 3,444ha out of 6,000 – is in Sabah.
There are five districts with active cocoa plantations in Sabah: Ranau, Kota Marudu, Tenom, Kota Belud, and Tambunan.
“The relevant parties, particularly the Malaysia Cocoa Board, must put in continuous efforts to ensure that the cocoa industry continues to develop as the third largest commodity in the country,” Hajiji added. – The Vibes, June 19, 2022
