Berau Strengthens Economic Diversification Through Fermented Cocoa Beans

The Berau Regency Government in East Kalimantan is strengthening economic diversification to reduce reliance on coal mining by utilising sustainable resources through the downstream processing of plantation products, specifically fermented cocoa beans. Berau Regent Sri Juniarsih Mas stated in Tanjung Redeb on Saturday that the fermented cocoa beans have now been exported to Europe, particularly France, with an initial shipment of 10 tonnes in March this year, which continues to this day. She revealed that the Berau Regency Government has signed a memorandum of understanding with a company in France to meet demand of up to 50 tonnes per year. Currently, demand is not only coming from France; Japan is also opening up opportunities with a much larger requirement, reaching 500 tonnes per year of fermented cocoa beans. She noted that these exports signify the increasing access of Berau’s superior commodities to the global market, and expressed gratitude for the region’s plantation resources now being able to penetrate the world market. ‘This increasingly open export market certainly serves as strong motivation for Berau’s cocoa farmers to continue improving both production and productivity,’ she said. To this end, the Regent continues to encourage relevant agencies to enhance assistance and guidance, both in terms of increasing production through opening new land and improving productivity via intensification and the utilisation of agricultural technology. ‘The success in penetrating the export market proves that cocoa beans from Berau have high competitiveness in the world market. Berau cocoa is known for its distinctive flavour with a balance between bitterness and fresh acidity, a characteristic sought after by the premium chocolate industry,’ she said. This success in penetrating the global market also follows Berau’s previous national recognition at the Salon International de l’Alimentation (SIAL) Interfood event as the best cocoa beans. At the international level, Berau cocoa is also favoured by the French cocoa producer Valrhona. She is optimistic that Berau’s cocoa industry will continue to grow and develop, thereby contributing to strengthening the regional economy in line with increasing market demand. ‘With the support of technology, access to financing, sustainability certification, and international collaboration, Berau cocoa will be able to become an important part of the premium cocoa supply chain,’ she said.