Planting Area
Commercial planting of cocoa in Malaysia started in early 1950's. The growth of cocoa planting industry was accelerated by high prices of cocoa in the 1970s and 1980s to attain a peak at 414,236 hectares in 1989. However, due to prolong low prices and other factors, the area under cocoa cultivation declined progressively thereafter to 77,769 hectares in 2000. The smallholder sub-sector is expected to play a more dominant role, as its share of the total cocoa plating area was about 70% in 2000. Sabah remained as the major cocoa-growing center accounting for 67% of the total national hectare age followed by Peninsular Malaysia at 20% and then Sarawak at 13%.

Production
Production of dry cocoa beans in Malaysia followed the trend of the cocoa plating area. After a slow start, the cocoa bean production increased to reach a peak at 247,000 tonnes in 1990 and then decreased to 70,262 tonnes in 2000. The state of Sabah contributed 51,546 tonnes or 73.4% of the National total and this was followed by Peninsular Malaysia at 15,536 tonnes or 22.1% and Sarawak at 3,180 tonnes or 4.5%.

Grindings
The cocoa gindings industry in Malaysia initiated in 1973. The annual grindings increased to 100,000 tonnes in 1990 and then to 110,000 tonnes in 1999 and 139,443 tonnes in 2000. Higher grindings reported was attributed to strong demand for cocoa powder.

Prices
The prices of cocoa beans varied greatly over the years. Due to shortage of world cocoa stock, the prices of cocoa increased rapidly from 1972 to reach an all time record high of up to about RM13,000/tonne at one time in 1977. However, it was reduced to as low as RM1,800/tonne for a very short while in 1992. The prices have recovered since an remained in the range of between RM3,200 and RM4,700/tonne in 2001.

Exports
The export earnings of cocoa beans and cocoa products for 2000 was RM595 million. Malaysia exported 11,408 tonnes of cocoa beans valued at RM33 million, 5,027 tonnes of cocoa paste (not defatted) valued at RM31 million, 15,117 tonnes of cocoa paste (wholly or partly defatted) valued at RM36 million, 41,496 tonnes of cocoa butter valued at RM319 million, 31,800 tonnes of cocoa powder valued at RM98 million and 6,872 tonnes of chocolate valued at RM80 million. In 2000, Malaysian cocoa bean was exported to 6 destinations. Meanwhile, cocoa paste was exported to 27 destinations. The new export destinations of Malaysian cocoa paste were Austria, Armenia, UAE, Federal Republic of Germany, Argentina, Yemen Arab Republic, Chile, Jordan, Bulgaria and Vietnam. Cocoa paste (wholly or partly defatted) was exported to 20 destinations. Thailand, Russian Federation and Pakistan were the new export destinations of this product. Malaysian cocoa powder (not sweetened) was the most demanded product where it was exported to 67 countries. The new export destinations for this product were Monzambique, Armenia, Moldova, Cuba and Bosnia & Herzegovina. Sweetened cocoa powder was exported to 25 destinations. Korea, Belgium, Yemen Arab Republic, Maldives, Fiji and Jamaica were the new export destinations of Malaysian sweetened cocoa powder. As for cocoa butter, it was exported to 39 countries. Yugoslavia, Sudan, Amenia and Vietnam were the new export destinations of this product. Malaysian chocolate was exported to 48 countries and the new export destination was Syrian Arab Republic.

Imports
The total import value of cocoa beans and cocoa products in 2000 was RM379 million. Malaysia imported 106,701 tonnes of cocoa beans valued at RM292 million, 2,115 tonnes of cocoa butter valued at RM19 million, 538 tonnes of cocoa powder valued at RM2 million and 34 tonnes of cocoa paste (not defatted) valued at RM201,000. Malaysia also imported 4,735 tonnes of chocolate valued at RM66 million in 2000. Indonesia was the leading source of imports of cocoa beans, followed by Papua New Guinea and Ghana. Malaysia imported cocoa butter from Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Singapore. As for cocoa paste not defatted, Malaysia imported this product 100% from Singapore. Singapore was the main source of import for unsweetened cocoa powder, followed by Netherlands and Cote d'lvoire whereas Australia was the leading source of imports of chocolate, followed by USA and Singapore.