KUCHING: Nestle Malaysia is deepening its investment in the nation’s cocoa industry, with a long-term plan to source 10,000 metric tonnes of Malaysian-grown cocoa by 2034, focusing particularly on farming communities in Sarawak and Sabah.
In a statement, the company said that during the Malaysian International Cocoa Fair (MICF) 2025 at the Sabah International Convention Centre in Kota Kinabalu, it showcased KitKat Dark Borneo, a single-origin chocolate made exclusively with cocoa beans from East Malaysia.
Through its partnership with the Malaysian Cocoa Board (MCB), under which it launched the Nestlé Borneo Cocoa Initiative (NBCI) in 2023, Nestle has extended its Farmer Connect programme to East Malaysia.
The initiative offers farmers training and support in regenerative agriculture, including agroforestry, intercropping, and soil health improvement.
Nestle Malaysia Chief Executive Officer, Juan Aranols, said that although Malaysia’s cocoa processing sector recorded RM15 billion in exports in 2024, most of the supply still relies on imported beans.
He noted that local cocoa production, particularly in areas like Sarawak and Sabah, remains largely underdeveloped.
“There is a significant opportunity not only for industry growth but also for improving the livelihoods of local farming communities.
“Nestle is committed to working alongside stakeholders to grow cocoa farming in a way that meets high standards of sustainability, traceability, and human rights,” he said during the event.
KitKat Dark Borneo, made with 100 per cent responsibly sourced cocoa beans from Sarawak and Sabah, is produced using traditional fermentation and sun-drying techniques.
With 52 per cent cocoa content, the chocolate is designed to offer a balanced taste – neither too sweet nor too bitter – while highlighting the distinct flavour profile of Malaysian cocoa.
The product recently received the NielsenIQ BASES Breakthrough Innovation Award 2024, recognising its market success and rising consumer interest in single-origin chocolate.
Following this achievement, Nestlé Confectionery Business Executive Officer Carlota Casellas said the company is building on the momentum by launching KitKat Dark Borneo Ice Cream, which features the same dark chocolate coating made from Borneo cocoa and is topped with crushed KitKat wafer bits.
“KitKat has always been about indulgence and joy. With KitKat Dark Borneo, we set out to honour our roots and the dedication of farmers in Sabah and Sarawak,” she said.
