Cocoa output projected to rise to 400,000 tons

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian cocoa production is projected to increase to about 400,000 tons a year by 2000 from about 310,000 tons this year, according to the Indonesian Cocoa Association.

The association's executive director, P.S. Siswoputranto, said yesterday the positive outlook was based on a continued increase in Indonesian cocoa plantation acreage.

"The rise in the output will be caused also by the continuing efforts to control the attacks of cocoa pod borer, the major insect pest of cocoa in Southeast Asia," he said at an ASEAN Cocoa Club meeting.

About 50 ASEAN cocoa plantation executives are meeting until today to identify problems facing cocoa production and exchange information about the industry.

The meeting will also look at the possibility of establishing a common contract for their international trade.

Siswoputranto said he hoped the projected production increase would be followed by an improvement in cocoa bean quality and fat content.

This year Indonesian cocoa production is expected to increase about 5 percent to 310,000 tons, from 295,000 last year.

The association's data shows that of the 295,000 tons of cocoa produced last year, 210,000 tons were produced by small holders, 44,000 by state plantations and 33,000 by private estates.

Indonesia is now the world's third largest producer after the Ivory Coast, and Ghana. Malaysia is the region's next biggest producer with 120,000 tons last year.

Siswoputranto said by 2000 ASEAN cocoa production was projected to increase to 500,000 tons from 464,900 tons in 1995.

Indonesia exported 195,647 tons of cocoa products between January and September last year worth about US$259 million.

In 1995, the country exported 233,308 tons worth $308.3 million.

Indonesia exports its cocoa beans to 20 countries including the United States, Germany, the U.K., other European countries, Singapore, Central America and China.

Cocoa products are exported to North America, Europe, Japan, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Russia, and Poland.

Siswoputranto said Indonesia processed some of its cocoa beans to support the local chocolate industry.

"Less than 15 grinders are now in operation, processing an average of 65,000 tons of cocoa beans annually," he said. (02)