KOTA KINABALU: Malaysia is boosting its cocoa industry through sustainable farming, improved yields, and a national traceability system to meet global standards, said Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.
Speaking at the relaunch of the Malaysian International Cocoa Fair (MICF) 2025 at SICC, Johari noted the event’s return after 12 years has attracted participants from 26 countries.
Malaysia, one of the world’s top five cocoa grinders, processes 370,000 tonnes annually. Despite importing 500,000 tonnes, value-added cocoa exports hit RM15 billion in 2024.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});“With rising global demand, especially for Borneo-origin cocoa, we must support our farmers,” Johari said, adding MICF is key to promoting Malaysia’s sustainable cocoa.