Malaysia’s cocoa industry sees sweet recovery as grinding jumps 29pc

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 13 — Malaysia's cocoa industry is experiencing a sweet recovery, with cocoa grinding rising 29 percent year-on-year to 90,849 tonnes in the second quarter of 2026, according to chocolate firm Barry Callebaut. Despite supply and price volatility over the past two years, the industry is showing significant signs of improvement.

Barry Callebaut South-east Asia managing director Ciptadi Sukono highlighted that the cocoa grinding in Malaysia accounted for approximately 40 percent of total cocoa grindings in Asia during the same period. The company has seen increased consumption of cocoa as prices have eased, and it is confident that the industry can better handle similar situations in the future.

Ciptadi also mentioned that Malaysia is among the fastest-growing countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), along with Vietnam, due to its strong currency and high buying power. The nation's rich culinary culture and the growth of innovative cocoa products are expected to drive further expansion in the chocolate and confectionery sector.

Barry Callebaut currently employs over 400 people in Malaysia, operating a cocoa processing site in Pasir Gudang, Johor, and one of the largest cocoa bean warehouses in Asia Pacific, managed in partnership with logistics provider Maersk.