TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:The Indonesian Cocoa Association chairman Zulhefi Sikumbang has called on the government to revise cocoa duties to Rp500 to support local farmers and exporters.
"Only major companies such as Cargill and Olam can compete with progressive tariff rates," said Zulhefi yesterday.
Based on his calculations, the industry can still profit from setting tariffs at Rp500 per kilogram. Last year, cocoa powder exports were valued at 60,000 tons and imports were 30,000 tons.
Airlangga Hartarto, the Trade and Industry Commission chief at the House of Representatives, agreed that cocoa duties should be revised.