Kuala lumpur: Malaysia’s cocoa export earnings reached RM9.69 billion in the first half of this year (1H 2025), driven by strong overseas demand and encouraging product prices, said Malaysian Cocoa Board (MCB) director-general Datuk Dr Ramle Kasin. He said the main importing countries included the United States, Singapore, Japan, and Indonesia.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Datuk Dr Ramle Kasin expressed optimism about the future of Malaysia’s cocoa exports, stating, “We expect export revenue to reach up to RM15 billion by the end of this year.” This was announced after he officiated the closing of the third series of the ‘Super Koko Trainee Course Programme’ for the Peninsular Region.

Ramle highlighted the involvement of nearly 100 participants from the indigenous community in Peninsular Malaysia in cocoa cultivation. He noted that their participation aligns with their culture and way of life and contributes to the country’s cocoa production. The MCB supports these efforts by providing various incentives and assistance, including fertilisers, pesticides, and training courses on cocoa cultivation.

In his speech, Ramle also mentioned the significant increase in the average price of dry cocoa beans, which rose 141 percent to RM24,274 per tonne last year, compared to RM10,073 the previous year. He observed that international demand for high-quality cocoa continues to grow, presenting new opportunities for Malaysia to reassess cocoa’s potential as a strategic commodity for the country.