A Journey of Flavour: Nestlé’s Commitment to Malaysian Cocoa
At Nestlé Malaysia, we are proud to showcase the rich heritage of Malaysian cocoa, a journey that began long before our recent participation in the Malaysian International Cocoa Fair (MICF) 2025. Our story is deeply intertwined with the lush landscapes of Sabah and Sarawak, where the cocoa trees thrive under ideal conditions, producing beans that reflect the essence of our culture and traditions.
As we unveil our KitKat® Dark Borneo, a single-origin chocolate crafted exclusively from locally sourced cocoa beans, we reaffirm our commitment to sustainability and innovation in cocoa-based products. This chocolate is not just a treat; it is a celebration of the dedication and hard work of our farmers, who play a crucial role in revitalizing Malaysia’s cocoa farming industry.
Our journey towards a sustainable future is guided by a vision to source 10,000 metric tonnes of cocoa from local Malaysian farms by 2034. This ambitious goal is part of our broader mission to enhance the livelihoods of farming communities, particularly in regions like Sabah and Sarawak, where the climate and soil conditions are perfect for cultivating high-quality cocoa. Through our partnership with the Malaysian Cocoa Board (MCB), we are paving the way for a brighter future for cocoa farming in Malaysia.
In 2023, we launched the Nestlé Borneo Cocoa Initiative (NBCI), expanding our Farmer Connect programme to East Malaysia. This initiative equips local farmers with improved cultivation methods, promoting regenerative practices such as agroforestry, intercropping, and soil health management. By enhancing yields and boosting farm resilience, we are not only protecting the natural ecosystem but also ensuring that our farmers can thrive.
Our commitment to ethical sourcing and halal-certified production is reflected in every bar of KitKat® Dark Borneo. Crafted with 100% responsibly-sourced cocoa beans, this chocolate embodies the rich flavours of our heritage. The careful fermentation and sun-drying methods used in processing the cocoa beans result in a perfectly balanced flavour profile—not too bitter, not too sweet—allowing consumers to savour a unique taste experience.
As we continue to innovate, we are excited to introduce the KitKat® Dark Borneo Ice Cream, featuring our signature wafer ice cream coated in dark chocolate made from Borneo cocoa. This new addition not only celebrates our cocoa heritage but also brings joy to Malaysians and consumers worldwide.
Our efforts have not gone unnoticed. KitKat® Dark Borneo has been recognized with the NielsenIQ (NIQ) BASES Breakthrough Innovation Award 2024, a testament to the growing appreciation for single-origin chocolate among consumers. We take pride in creating products that honour our roots while delivering an indulgent experience.
At Nestlé, sustainability is at the heart of our operations. All KitKat® Dark products are produced at our Halal-certified Chembong Industrial Complex in Negeri Sembilan, one of Asia's largest confectionery and ice cream plants. This facility serves as a crucial export hub, supplying Halal KitKat® products to ASEAN markets and beyond. We have implemented significant sustainability initiatives, including a biomass boiler that uses renewable energy sources, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and advancing our goal of carbon-neutral manufacturing.
