Chocolate can lower rates of high blood pressure and heart disease. (Image via Footprint to Africa)

Malaysia’s Chocolate Export Value on the Rise since 2015

Malaysian manufactured chocolates are getting well received overseas since 2015 as the export value showing a rise.

According to Malaysian primary industries minister Teresa Kok Suh Sim on Monday (6/24), the export value of chocolates rose consecutively from US$113 million in 2015 to US$144 million in 2016. It also rose in 2017 to US$209 million which later high rocketed to even higher value of about US$248 million or 1.03 billion in Malaysian Ringgit in 2018, while for the quarter of this year from January to March the export value registered already reached US$56.3 million.

Kok also said that rapid development in the downstream segment for the cocoa commodity industry had contributed specifically at US$1.32 billion to the country’s export income last year.

At present, the key market segments of Malaysian chocolate are located in 128 countries, including neighboring countries like Indonesia and Singapore, and across East Asian countries like Japan and China while the United States is one of the markets outside the Asia continent.

Malaysia was ranked the second largest processor of cocoa seeds in Asia and seventh globally last year, with cocoa cultivation covered 12,000 hectares in the country’s primary areas in Kota Samarahan (Sarawah), Ranau (Sabah), as well as Kuala Lipis and Jeratut (Pahang).

There are 51 chocolate producers in Malaysia and among the most popular brands are Beryl’s, Fidani, and Harriston—which are of an international standard. In order to support the cocoa industry, Malaysian are also encouraged to buy and promote the product, Kok added.

Source: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/malaysia-chocolate-export-on-the-rise-since-2015-11656260