Sabah's cocoa in KitKat
Published on: Wednesday, June 04, 2025
Published on: Wed, Jun 04, 2025 Text Size: Kota Kinabalu: Nestlé Malaysia is transforming Sabah's rich cocoa farming heritage into world-class confectionery products, with the company's latest innovation, KitKat® Dark Borneo, leading the charge in revitalising the State's cocoa industry. The single-origin chocolate, crafted exclusively from cocoa beans grown in Sabah and Sarawak, represents a significant milestone in bringing North Borneo's agricultural dedication to global markets. 'We are excited to transform the dedication of North Borneo's farmers into innovative products that bring joy to Malaysians and our consumers worldwide, just as we have with KitKat® Dark Borneo – now introduced in a special ice cream edition that celebrates Malaysia's cocoa heritage and promising future,' said Nestlé Malaysia Chief Executive Officer Juan Aranols. Crafted with 100 per cent responsibly sourced cocoa beans grown in the lush volcanic soil and tropical climate of Sabah and Sarawak, the KitKat® Dark Borneo is a single-origin chocolate that truly reflects Malaysia's rich heritage in cocoa craftsmanship. It delivers a perfectly balanced flavour, not too bitter, not too sweet, as a result of the careful fermentation and sun-drying methods used for the cocoa beans. KitKat® Dark Borneo has also been honoured with the NielsenIQ (NIQ) BASES Breakthrough Innovation Award 2024, a recognition that highlights both the success of the product and the growing appreciation for single-origin chocolate among consumers. The product represents more than just confectionery innovation, it embodies Nestlé's ambitious plan to source 10,000 metric tonnes of cocoa from local Malaysian farms by 2034. This initiative aims to revitalise Malaysia's cocoa farming industry, particularly benefiting communities in Sabah and Sarawak where ideal growing conditions exist. Through the Nestlé Borneo Cocoa Initiative launched in 2023, the company has partnered with the Malaysian Cocoa Board to expand its Farmer Connect program to East Malaysia. The initiative focuses on regenerative farming practices including agroforestry, intercropping, and soil health management to enhance yields while protecting natural ecosystems. The 52 per cent cocoa content chocolate is manufactured at Nestlé's Halal-certified Chembong Industrial Complex in Negeri Sembilan, one of Asia's largest confectionery and ice cream plants. The facility serves as a crucial export hub, supplying Halal KitKat® products to Asean markets and beyond while implementing significant sustainability measures, including biomass boilers powered by renewable energy sources. With Malaysia's cocoa processing sector generating RM15 billion in exports in 2024, primarily through imported beans, the KitKat® Dark Borneo initiative represents a strategic shift toward developing local cocoa production capabilities. The success of this single-origin chocolate, now expanded into an ice cream variant, demonstrates the potential for Malaysian cocoa to compete on the global stage while supporting local farming communities. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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