20 November 2006 - Press reports from Malaysia, citing the Plantation Industries and Commodities minister Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui, claim that Malaysia will become of the world's leading cocoa processors by 2010 thanks to an increasing grinding capacity, which is expected to reach 360,000 tons.
According to Chin, the increase in capacity will be achieved by expanding and modernising grinding facilities as well as by raising processing efficiency.
Malaysia’s 2005 grinding capacity was recorded at 258,647 tons, which contributed 7.6% of the total world grindings, making Malaysia the fourth largest cocoa processor in the world and the largest in Asia, added Chin. The minister went on to say that the nation’s cocoa grinding capacity is expected to reach 270,000 tons this year.