Indonesia Reinforces Position as Global Cocoa Grinding Hub

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta: Indonesia’s manufacturing sector recorded solid growth in 2025. The sector expanded by 5.30 percent during the year. This figure surpassed national economic growth of 5.11 percent.

Data from Statistics Indonesia (BPS) showed the processing industry remained resilient throughout 2025. The agro-industry continued serving as the backbone of non-oil and gas manufacturing. Its contribution strengthened the national industrial structure.

Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita delivered the statement in Jakarta on Tuesday, 3 March 2026. He emphasized the agro-industry’s strategic and consistent contribution.

“As of December 2025, the agro-industry contributed 52.09 percent to the non-oil and gas manufacturing GDP. This achievement demonstrates the important role of the agro-industrial sector in strengthening the national industrial structure,” he said.

The Ministry of Industry continues strengthening agro-industry competitiveness, including national cocoa processing. The ministry works closely with the Indonesian Cocoa Association (ASKINDO). Indonesia is positioned as a major cocoa grinding hub in Asia and globally.

“Since 2025, the availability of domestic cocoa beans has shown an increasing trend. This condition encourages us to strengthen domestic grinding capacity,” he said.

Acting Director General of Agro Industry Putu Juli Ardika explained that 2024 saw global cocoa supply disruptions. The disruption mainly came from West Africa. It significantly reduced grinding activities worldwide.

In 2025, domestic supply improved and supported grinding growth of 4.43 percent. The volume reached 422,176 tons. The industry contributed USD 3.42 billion in foreign exchange. Indonesia supplies 8.46 percent of global processed cocoa demand.

From the global policy perspective, the postponement of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) implementation provides wider expansion space. The United States also grants zero percent tariffs for Indonesian cocoa and chocolate products. Indonesia will host The 9th Indonesia International Cocoa Conference on July 22–24, 2026, in Yogyakarta.