Ministry of Industry's Steps to Make Indonesia the Center of the World Cocoa Processing Industry

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Industry (Kemenperin) continues to strive to make Indonesia the center of the cocoa processing industry because Indonesia is the third largest cocoa producer in the world, with total production of around 700 thousand tons per year.

"Currently, there are 11 cocoa processing companies in Indonesia, whose total export value is recorded to reach 1.12 billion US dollars in 2022, or occupy the position of the fourth exporting country in the world. This industry also plays a role in supporting downstreaming which increases the added value of domestic cocoa, " said the Director of the Beverage, Tobacco Products and Refreshment Ingredients Industry of the Ministry of Industry, Edy Sutopo, in a written statement received by VOI, Friday, December 1.

To become the world's epicenter in the cocoa and processed sectors, the Ministry of Industry will collaborate with various related parties from upstream to downstream.

"We excel in intermediate products, which include cocoa paste/liquor, cocoa cake, cocoa butter and cocoa powder. The market share for our products reaches 9.17 percent of world demand," he said.

Apart from this sector, Indonesia also has potential in the chocolate industry and artisan chocolate industry.

As for the chocolate industry which produces mass products, currently there are 900 companies with a total production capacity of more than 462 thousand tons per year. "The total export value from this sector will be 76.89 million US dollars in 2022," said Edy.

Then, for the artisan chocolate industry sector, Indonesia has 31 companies with a total production capacity of 1,242 tons per year in 2022.

"Generally the artisan chocolate industry uses premium raw materials. Indonesia still has a promising market to develop this sector," he said.

Edy emphasized that his party is proactive in implementing various programs and policies in an effort to spur the performance of the cocoa-based industry. For example, by maintaining the availability of raw materials.

Not only that, the Ministry of Industry is also encouraging increased cocoa productivity to meet needs in the industrial sector.

Furthermore, Edy said that the Ministry of Industry had prepared competent industrial human resources (HR), encouraged the use of technology, and optimized branding programs.

"We will also support sustainability and traceability programs in the supply chain, increase domestic chocolate consumption campaigns, carry out promotions at exhibitions at national and international levels, and implement production machine restructuring programs," he continued.

The Ministry of Industry is aggressively cultivating new entrepreneurs in the cocoa processing industry sector. Moreover, Indonesia has more than 600 chocolate variants or flavors originating from various regions.

"This is our potential to continue to diversify and innovate products," he added.