- Bringing together nearly 1,000 customers and industry partners, Barry Callebaut showcased its Masters of Taste vision and the latest chocolate and cocoa application innovations at its largest customer engagement event in Malaysia to date, held at The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur.
- With more than 35 years of heritage in Malaysia, Barry Callebaut continues to invest in the country’s growth, strengthening its role as a strategic hub for operations and customer partnerships.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 13 August 2026 – Barry Callebaut, the world’s leading manufacturer of high-quality chocolate and cocoa solutions, commemorated more than 35 years of chocolate and cocoa heritage in Malaysia today, bringing together close to 1,000 customers and industry partners to share its Masters of Taste vision and reaffirm its long-term commitment to supporting the growth of the country’s chocolate and cocoa industry.
The event marks Barry Callebaut’s largest customer engagement in Malaysia to date, bringing together bakers, chocolatiers, pastry chefs, food manufacturers and industry partners at The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur. Through eight immersive experience zones, attendees explored the latest chocolate and cocoa innovations, featuring trend-driven applications and new product launches designed to help businesses stay ahead of evolving consumer preferences.
Rooted in Barry Callebaut’s belief that taste remains the ultimate driver of consumer choice, the launch of Masters of Taste vision in Malaysia at the event also combines deep consumer insights and technical expertise to help customers create memorable chocolate-y experiences that delight consumers.
Continued Growth in Malaysia
Malaysia has been an important part of Barry Callebaut’s growth story for decades. The company’s local journey began in 2008 with the acquisition of a majority stake in KLK Cocoa, one of Asia’s leading cocoa and chocolate manufacturers with roots dating back to 1990. The acquisition established Barry Callebaut Malaysia and laid the foundation for the company’s subsequent growth and expansion in the country.
Today, Barry Callebaut employs more than 400 people in Malaysia, operating a cocoa processing site in Pasir Gudang, alongside one of the largest cocoa bean warehouses in Asia Pacific, which is managed in partnership with global logistics provider Maersk, and a Global Business Services (GBS) Centre in Petaling Jaya.
“Barry Callebaut is proud to contribute to the growth of Malaysia’s cocoa and chocolate industry, supporting customers and building industry capabilities. What started with a strong cocoa manufacturing heritage has evolved into a strategic hub that today supports the company’s operations across the region. As consumer demand for chocolate continues to grow and diversify, we remain confident in Malaysia’s long-term potential,” said Ciptadi Sukono, Managing Director, Southeast Asia.
Evolving Chocolate Consumer Trends in the industry
Today, evolving consumer preferences across the country’s chocolate and confectionery market continue to support a positive growth outlook for Malaysia. While annual chocolate confectionery consumption stands at around 0.4kg per person(1), and the market is expected to grow at a CAGR of more than 7% through 2031(2), these figures represent only part of the opportunity. Beyond traditional confectionery such as chocolate bars and snacks, chocolate is increasingly being enjoyed across a wider range of applications, including beverages, desserts, bakery, ice cream, gifting, and premium dining experiences.
This expanding role of chocolate is being driven by consumers’ growing appetite for more indulgent, premium, and experiential offerings. As demand continues to rise across adjacent categories such as bakery, beverages, desserts, and food service applications, the growth potential for chocolate extends well beyond traditional confectionery.
Expanding Reach Through Products and Distribution
In response, Barry Callebaut continues to broaden its portfolio beyond traditional chocolate and cocoa products, offering a wide range of solutions including the Callebaut Signature range, Van Houten Professional cocoa and chocolate solutions, as well as coatings, fillings, and decorations.
To ensure these solutions are more accessible to customers across Malaysia, the company has also evolved its go-to-market strategy to strengthen customer proximity and market reach. Barry Callebaut has expanded its distribution model from a single distributor to a network of seven distribution partners across the country, significantly increasing its reach and enabling the company to serve a broader customer base, including well-known Malaysian brands such as Texture by C3 Lab, Enchante and Artigusto Gelato.
Building on more than 35 years of cocoa and chocolate expertise and manufacturing heritage in Malaysia, Barry Callebaut remains committed to supporting the growth of its customers and strengthening Malaysia’s position as a key hub for the cocoa and chocolate industry across the region.
1 Source: Euromonitor, Chocolate Confectionery Consumption per capita, 2026
2 Source: Euromonitor, Volume Growth, 2026 – 2031
