Cocoa Imports by Indonesia Jumping on Chocolate Demand

Cocoa purchases by Indonesia, the third-biggest grower, will probably increase fourfold to a record this year as the government plans to scrap an import tax, according to the country’s grinders association.

Shipments may reach 120,000 metric tons from 30,000 tons last year, said Piter Jasman, chairman of Indonesian Cocoa Industry Association. Capacity to process beans into powder and butter may climb 67 percent to 600,000 tons from 360,000 tons on new plants and expansions, he said in an interview. A 5 percent duty will have to be removed as domestic grinders face a shortfall of 100,000 tons this year, Trade Minister Muhammad Lutfi said April 11.