Malaysia targets Sarawak cocoa expansion to cut import reliance

During the launch of “A Malaysian Cocoa Affair 2026” in Melaka, Shari Fuddin Sha’ari of the Malaysian Cocoa Board outlined a plan to expand cocoa acreage in Sarawak and Sabah, expecting new trees to bear fruit within two to three years and raise local dried bean output. He stressed the importance of developing downstream processing so farmers can produce chocolate and capture higher value. A single-origin initiative is already processing beans from four Sarawak locations at a cluster cooperative research centre in Kota Samarahan, highlighting distinct flavour profiles that can be blended with ingredients like gula Melaka.

Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad officiated the event. Funding from the latest Malaysia Plan supports the expansion, aiming to narrow Malaysia’s reliance on imported cocoa beans and generate broader economic benefits for farmers and entrepreneurs.