TAWAU: The stability and high price of dry cocoa in the current market are seen as a strong motivator for industry players to re-enter large-scale cocoa cultivation.
Malaysian Cocoa Board Director-General Datuk Ramle Kasin, said that at present, the price of dry cocoa in the market is more stable, ranging from RM25,000 to RM30,000 per tonne (PT).
“Between 2002 and 2003, the price of dry cocoa ranged from RM7,000 to RM8,000 per tonne, before rising sharply to RM40,000 per tonne in 2024.
“Although we see the price of dry cocoa now at RM25,000 to RM30,000 PT, it is more stable and positive, which is a major attraction for industry players,” he said.
Ramle made these remarks during a press conference held in conjunction with the monthly gathering and Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration at the Cocoa Research and Development Centre (PPK) Tawau and Madai, here, on Monday.
According to him, the success of the seven PPKs nationwide in producing more than 50 high-quality cocoa clones also attracted former industry players to return to cocoa planting.
“We provide advisory services to smallholders and farmers, especially on the research and development (R&D) of new high-quality and high-yielding cocoa clones.
“The demand for these cocoa clones is very good because they can increase production yields, which is a major attraction for industry players to plant cocoa,” he said.
He further explained that currently, there are more than 6,000 hectares of cocoa plantations nationwide, and he is confident that this number will increase with the positive growth trend in the cocoa industry.
He also mentioned that one of the initiatives to boost cocoa production is through the use of the Internet of Things (IoT) or the use of fabricators to monitor soil nutrients.
“The data from the equipment placed in the soil will be transferred to satellites to assess soil suitability and will also allow for early disease control during the rainy season.
“At present, we have a pilot project at several locations, and the results from this initiative have shown that cocoa farmers can increase their yields by up to 30 per cent,” he said.
Ramle also expressed his interest in Tawau’s potential to re-emerge as a major cocoa producer, as it was once the world’s top cocoa producer in the 1970s and 1980s.
He described cocoa growers in Tawau as knowledgeable and experienced, with the land in the area being fertile and suitable for cocoa planting.
“I am confident that if more industry players in this area return to large-scale planting, it can help revive the cocoa industry in Tawau,” he said.
He said that Tawau currently has around 400 smallholders growing cocoa, and this number is expected to continue growing with the positive developments in the industry.
He also advised those interested in planting cocoa to visit the PPK for free advisory services, as well as technical assistance.
