News: The Malaysian Cocoa Board (MCB) is seeking to expand international markets for Malaysian cocoa and chocolate products, with a focus on connecting local producers with overseas buyers and strengthening the industry’s global profile. Its participation in SIAL Paris 2026, held in France from October 17 to 21, showcased semi-finished cocoa products such as cocoa butter and cocoa powder, alongside Malaysian chocolate brands, through the MYCocoa Pavilion.
MCB participated alongside a group of cocoa industry players and chocolate entrepreneurs, using the international food exhibition as a platform to explore trade partnerships with importers, distributors and buyers. The initiative highlights Malaysia’s ambition to broaden export opportunities, demonstrate its capacity to supply quality cocoa ingredients to the global food industry and raise awareness of homegrown chocolate brands in international markets.
Context:
Local Brands Gain Ground: Malaysia’s downstream chocolate market remains dominated by foreign brands, but local players such as Beryl’s and Alfredo are increasingly competing for market share, creating opportunities for homegrown brands to strengthen their positions.
Upstream Expansion Targets Supply Security: Efforts to expand cocoa cultivation in Sarawak and Sabah aim to reduce reliance on imported dried cocoa beans and strengthen domestic supply over the next two to three years as newly planted trees mature. Supported by allocations under the latest Malaysia Plan, the expansion also seeks to create opportunities for farmers and entrepreneurs, while the Malaysian Cocoa Board explores higher-value products such as single-origin chocolate made from Sarawak cocoa beans.
Local Beans Offer Differentiation: Brands have experimented with Malaysian-origin cocoa, a notable example is KitKat Dark Borneo, made with 100% Borneo cocoa beans. Its positive reception highlight the potential to leverage regional cocoa origins to differentiate products and appeal to consumers.
[→ See full Chocolate Confectionery report for Malaysia]