Nestle Malaysia brought the rich heritage of Malaysian cocoa to the global stage at the recent Malaysian International Cocoa Fair (MICF) 2025, held at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.
As the Platinum Sponsor, Nestle celebrated its cocoa journey, reaffirming its commitment to sustainability and innovation in cocoa-based products, including KitKat Dark Borneo – a single-origin chocolate made exclusively with cocoa beans from Sabah and Sarawak.
As part of this journey, Nestle aims to source 10,000 metric tonnes of cocoa from local Malaysian farms by 2034, in an effort to revitalise Malaysia’s cocoa farming industry.
At the heart of this showcase was Nestle’s partnership with the Malaysian Cocoa Board (MCB), which has played a pivotal role in shaping the future of Malaysian cocoa. Through the Nestle Borneo Cocoa Initiative (NBCI) launched in 2023, Nestle has expanded its Farmer Connect program to East Malaysia, equipping local farmers with improved cultivation methods.
NBCI promotes regenerative farming through agroforestry, intercropping and soil health management, enhancing yields and boosting farm resilience while protecting the natural ecosystem.
“With exports reaching RM15 billion in 2024, Malaysia’s cocoa processing sector continues to expand, primarily supported by imported cocoa beans. Local cocoa production, however, remains largely untapped, presenting significant opportunities – not only for industry growth but also for enhancing the livelihoods of farming communities, particularly in Sabah and Sarawak, where conditions are ideal for cultivating high-quality cocoa.
“Nestle Malaysia is fully committed to working alongside local stakeholders to expand cocoa farming while upholding the highest standards of sustainability, traceability and human rights compliance. We are excited to transform the dedication of North Borneo’s farmers into innovative products that bring joy to Malaysians and our consumers worldwide, just as we have with KitKat Dark Borneo – now introduced in a special ice cream edition that celebrates Malaysia’s cocoa heritage and promising future,” said Juan Aranols, Chief Executive Officer of Nestle Malaysia.
Crafted with 100% responsibly sourced cocoa beans grown in the lush volcanic soil and tropical climate of Sabah and Sarawak, the KitKat Dark Borneo is a single-origin chocolate that truly reflects Malaysia’s rich heritage in cocoa craftsmanship.
-NIAGATIMES
