W Sumatra Cocoa is Exported to America, Europe

Padang, (Antaranews Sumbar) - The selling price of cocoa in West Sumatra in the last five years tends to stabilize around Rp20,000 to Rp27,000 per kilogram, Chairman of provincial Association of Indonesian Plantation Growers (Gapperindo), Irman. The commodities are exported to America and Europe. "Since 2013, the selling price of cocoa from community or farmers to collecting traders is stable," he said in Padang on Tuesday. In 2013, commodity price is Rp22,000 per kilogram, then it becomes Rp27,000 per kilogram in 2014, Rp23,000 per kilogram in 2015, Rp24,000 per kilogram in 2016, and Rp20,000 per kilogram in 2017. "In 2018, it has started to rise compared to 2017, which is Rp22.500," he pointed out. He mentioned the price is not for fermented cocoa. For the fermented products, they have different selling value, which is more expensive Rp4,000 than usual. "The export markets of cocoa which is the raw material of chocolate are America and Europe," he said. In the future, he hopes the government will be more active in assisting farmers or people with cocoa farms, so that production will increase and economic movement is also more enthusiastic. (cha)