KOTA SAMARAHAN – The Malaysian cocoa industry has good potential to penetrate the international market due to its high quality, said Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin.
She said the ministry is serious about developing the cocoa industry as the country’s fourth-largest commodity after palm oil, rubber and timber.
“The ministry will help smallholders increase their crops and productivity by recommending that they plant cocoa trees from good breeds. The quality of cocoa beans produced in Malaysia has gained international recognition and appreciation.
“So if we can focus on growing high-quality cocoa, it will definitely generate income. The cocoa industry should be made a trademark (of Malaysia) not only for smallholders at the downstream level but also as an attraction for tourists,” she said at a press conference after officiating at the Sarawak Cocoa Cluster Complex here today.
According to Zuraida, the Malaysian Cocoa Board strives to help local chocolate entrepreneurs to promote their products to be known throughout the country, thus being able to compete with international chocolate products.
“We want the people to know that local chocolate brands such as Magnificient, Marvelous and Royal are products produced in Malaysia, as well as Beryl’s chocolate, which has become the country’s number one chocolate exporter.
“This proves that our country is very progressive and unwavering and able to compete with top brands abroad because our chocolate is of high quality and is affordable,” she said.
The RM4.6 million Sarawak Cocoa Cluster Complex in Kota Samarahan was completed in May and is part of the Cocoa Cluster Chain Development Programme under the 12th Malaysia Plan. – Bernama, December 12, 2021
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