REPORT_18_ACC_Meeting_2015_FINAL

Report of the 18th

ACC Meeting, 78 May 2015, Bangkok, Thailand Page 1 of 20

THE REPORT OF THE 18TH

MEETING OF THE NATIONAL FOCAL POINT

FOR THE ASEAN COCOA CLUB (ACC) ON ASEAN COOPERATION

AND JOINT APPROACHES IN AGRICULTURE AND FOREST PRODUCTS

PROMOTION SCHEME

7 8 May 2015

The Berkeley HotelPratunam, Bangkok, Thailand

INTRODUCTION

1. The 18th Meeting of the National Focal Point for the ASEAN Cocoa Club (ACC) on

ASEAN Cooperation and Joint Approaches in Agriculture and Forest Products Promotion

Scheme was held on 78 May 2015 at the Berkeley HotelPratunam, Bangkok, Thailand.

FINAL

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2. The Meeting was attended by 56 delegates from the government and private sectors of

eight ASEAN member countries namely Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar,

Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam. The list of delegates is in Annex 1.

OPENING CEREMONY

Opening Remarks from the Chairman of the ASEAN Cocoa Club (ACC)

3. The Chairman of the ACC, Datuk Dr. Lee Choon Hui, Director General of the Malaysian

Cocoa Board (MCB) welcomed and thanked all delegates from Indonesia, Lao PDR,

Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam for attending the 18th

ACC Meeting.

4. He expressed his appreciation to Thailand and especially to the Department of

Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Thailand for hosting the 18th

ACC

Meeting. He also thanked and congratulated the ACC Secretariat and the Local Organizing

Committee of the Horticulture Research Institute, Department of Agriculture, Thailand

for their hard work, support and team cooperation rendered in ensuring the success of the

Meeting.

5. He also congratulated the ACC Technical Working Group on Food Safety (ACC TWGFS)

and ACC Technical Working Group on Good Agricultural Practices (ACC TWGGAP) for

successfully concluding their meetings on 6 May 2015.

6. In his welcoming remarks, the ACC Chairman highlighted that more than 4.37 million

tonnes of cocoa beans was produced last year. About 0.42 million tonnes was from

ASEAN countries, accounted for 9.6% of the world cocoa beans supply. The total cocoa

grindings in ASEAN was estimated at 681,600 tonnes. As a whole, the ASEAN accounted

for 16% of the total world cocoa grinding in 2013/2014. Cocoa is a virtuous crop that

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creates jobs and generates income for millions of workers around the world including the

developing region of ASEAN.

7. He also highlighted that the key challenges facing the cocoa industry include low

productivity and quality, infestation of pest and diseases, aging trees stocks, complex trade

flows and changing taxation climate, land pressures, aging farmers, improper use of

chemicals, low farmer income and poor labor practices as well as health and social issues.

All these challenges have negative impacts on cocoa especially the productivity and quality

of cocoa as well as the environment. As such, revitalizing the cocoa sector will require a

large financial investment, matched with industry cooperation and an innovative approach.

8. He emphasized that the role of the ACC is very important as one of the platforms for the

ASEAN member countries to act collectively in formulating policies and strategies to

overcome issues and challenges facing by cocoa industries and at the same time strengthen

and enhance further the intra-ASEAN trade on cocoa and cocoa products. The full text of

his opening remarks is in Annex 2.

Opening Speech from the Deputy Director General of the Department of Agriculture,

Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Thailand

9. Dr. Suwit Chaikiattiyos, the Deputy Director General of Department of Agriculture,

Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Thailand expressed his special tribute to the

ACC for once again choosing Thailand as the venue for the 18th

ACC Meeting. He also

welcomed members from Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines,

Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam to Bangkok, Thailand and to the 18th

ACC Meeting.

10. He highlighted that the cocoa industry in Thailand has been growing. The total area was

832 hectares with a production of about 100 tonnes per year. Thailand also imported

20,000 tonnes cocoa bean per annum.

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11. He also highlighted that the ACC role as a working group level on specific sector under the

frame of ASEAN cooperation on agriculture is to initiate and implement areas of

cooperation that would be beneficial to the ASEAN member countries. Therefore, the 18th

Meeting of the ACC in Thailand is a good opportunity for member country representatives

to gain understanding and perception on cocoa production, processing and trade situations

as well as seeking ways to strengthen cocoa trade within and outside the ASEAN region.

The full text of his speech is in Annex 3.

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AGENDA ITEM 1: OPENING REMARKS

12. The Chairman of the ACC, Datuk Dr. Lee Choon Hui, the Director General of the MCB

expressed his sincere gratitude and appreciation to all the delegates from Indonesia, Lao

PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam for attending

the 18th

ACC Meeting. He also thanked the Local Organizing Committee of the

Horticulture Research Institute, Department of Agriculture, Thailand and the ACC

Secretariat for their hard work, undivided assistance and support in successfully organizing

this Meeting.

AGENDA ITEM 2: ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN AND VICECHAIRMAN

13. Datuk Dr. Lee Choon Hui, Director General of the MCB was unanimously elected as the

Chairman of the 18th

ACC Meeting and Mrs. Peyanoot Naka, Assistant Director of

Horticulture Research Institute, Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and

Cooperative, Thailand as the ViceChairperson.

AGENDA ITEM 3: ADOPTION OF AGENDA

14. The Meeting adopted the Agenda of the 18th ACC Meeting as in Annex 4.

AGENDA ITEM 4: BUSINESS ARRANGEMENTS

15. The Meeting was held in plenary.

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AGENDA ITEM 5: COUNTRY PRESENTATION ON THE LATEST DEVELOPMENT

OF THE COCOA INDUSTRY IN THAILAND

16. Mrs. Peyanoot Naka, Assistant Director of the Horticulture Research Institute, Department

of Agriculture, Thailand presented the latest development of the cocoa industry in Thailand

which covered the following:

i. Cocoa Production

ii. Thailand Cocoa Standard

iii. Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) on pesticides residue

iv. The status of cocoa industry and trade

v. Importing and exporting issues

vi. Future prospect

vii. Cocoa research and development

Her slide presentation appears in Annex 5.

AGENDA ITEM 6: MATTERS ARISING FROM THE PREPSOM36TH AMAF, 2022

SEPTEMBER 2014; PREPSOM14TH AMAF PLUS THREE, 22 SEPTEMBER 2014;

36TH

AMAF, 23 SEPTEMBER 2014 AND 14TH

AMAF PLUS THREE, 24 SEPTEMBER

2014 IN NAY PYI TAW, MYANMAR

17. The ACC Secretariat presented the report of these meetings provided by the ASEAN

Secretariat. As reported by the ASEAN Secretariat, there was no ACC related matter

arisen and there was no followup needed by the ACC for PREPSOM36th AMAF, 2022

September 2014; PREPSOM14th AMAF Plus Three, 22 September 2014; 36th AMAF,

23 September 2014 and 14th

AMAF Plus Three, 24 September 2014 in Nay Pyi Taw,

Myanmar.

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18. In the 36th AMAF Meeting held on 23 September 2014, for Cooperation in Agriculture, the

Meeting noted that good progress has been achieved in enhancing ASEAN agriculture. The

meeting endorsed several documents for crops including ASEAN Standards for Cocoa

Beans (ASEAN Stan 34: 2014). For Cooperation in Trade in Agricultural and Forestry

Products, the Meeting noted that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on ASEAN

Cooperation and Joint Approaches in Agriculture and Forest Products Promotion Scheme

(2010-2014) expired in 2014. The Meeting discussed and agreed to sign the new MoU on

ASEAN Cooperation and Joint Approaches in Agriculture and Forest Products Promotion

Scheme (2015-2019).

AGENDA ITEM 7: MATTERS ARISING FROM THE 21ST

MEETING OF THE JOINT

COMMITTEE ON ASEAN COOPERATION AND JOINT APPROACHES IN

AGRICULTURE AND FOREST PRODUCTS PROMOTION SCHEME, 78 JULY 2014

IN PHUKET, THAILAND

19. The ACC Secretariat presented the report of the 21st Meeting of the Joint Committee on

ASEAN Cooperation in Agriculture and Forest Products Promotion Scheme (JCM) held on

78 July 2014 in Phuket, Thailand as provided by the ASEAN Secretariat. There was no

ACC related matters arisen from this Meeting and no followup needed by the ACC for

JCM.

20. As reported by the ASEAN Secretariat, the report of the 17th ACC Meeting held on 78

May 2014 in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia has been reported to the 21st JCM held on 7

8 July 2014 in Phuket, Thailand.

21. The JCM also discussed and endorsed the draft MoU on Joint Committee (JC) on ASEAN

Cooperation in Agriculture and Forest Products Promotion Scheme and the Meeting

requested the ASEAN Secretariat to report to SOMAMAF Leader the MoU for final

endorsement and sought confirmation to sign the MoU at AMAF Meeting in September in

Myanmar.

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AGENDA ITEM 8: ENHANCE INTRA AND EXTRAASEAN TRADE AND LONG

TERM COMPETITIVENESS OF ASEANS FOOD, AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY

PRODUCTS/COMMODITIES

8.1 Tariff and NonTariff Barriers on Cocoa Beans and Cocoa Products

8.1.1 ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA)

22. Indonesia reported that as of 2015, seven ASEAN member countries namely Brunei,

Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand have implemented

zero import tariffs on cocoa beans and products with the exception of Cambodia, Myanmar

and Viet Nam. These countries still impose import tariffs between 05% for several cocoa

products. The ATIGA tariff reduction schedule for 2015 is in Annex 6.

8.1.2 ASEAN Free Trade Area (FTA) between ASEAN and other countries

23. Indonesia reported that the tariff imposition on cocoa beans and products in 2015 is zero

percent for ASEANAustralia and ASEANChina. For ASEANKorea, the tariff

imposition on cocoa beans and products will be zero in 2016. Under the ASEANNew

Zealand, the import tariffs impose on chocolate and other food preparations containing

cocoa is 5%. The import tariff for ASEANIndia is 10% for cocoa butter, fat and oil. The

tariffs schedules for ASEAN FTA with Australia, China, Korea, India and New Zealand

appear in Annex 7.

8.1.3 Most Favoured Nation (MFN) Tariffs

24. There is no update report on the MFN tariff rates from the ASEAN member countries.

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8.1.4 NonTariff Barriers (NTBs)

25. There is no update report on the NTBs from the ASEAN member countries.

8.2 Technical Working Group on Good Agriculture Practices (TWGGAP)

26. Dr. Divina M. Amalin the Chairperson of the ACC TWGGAP presented the report of the

4th

Meeting of the ACC TWGGAP.

27. She informed the Meeting that the 4th ACC TWGGAP Meeting was held on 6 May 2015 at

the Berkeley HotelPratunam, Bangkok, Thailand. The Meeting was attended by 20

delegates and observers from ASEAN member countries. The ASEAN member countries

present were Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines and Thailand.

28. Dr. Divina M. Amalin from the Philippines was the designated Chairperson of the ACC

TWGGAP and Mr. Panit Ngangoranatigar of the Department of Agriculture, Ministry of

Agriculture and Cooperative, Thailand was unanimously elected as the Vice Chairman.

29. The Meeting was informed that the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand has reported the

current activities on GAP for cocoa in their respective countries.

30. She also informed the Meeting that the Working Group is able to come up with the draft of

the ASEAN GAP for cacao which was drafted during the 3rd

ACC TWGGAP Meeting held

at Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia in 2014. However, since most of the ACC TWGGAP

members were not present in the meeting, the ASEAN GAP document is still being

finalized. This document will be presented to the ACC Meeting after it has been endorsed

by the designated members of the ACC TWGGAP in their next meeting.

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31. The Meeting noted the appeal by the ACC TWGGAP for the members present during the

meeting to confirm the designated ACC TWGGAP members for each member countries

comprised of 2 technical members and 2 non-technical members. This will facilitate the

finalization of ASEAN GAP for cacao. The full report of this meeting is in Annex 8.

8.3 Technical Working Group on Food Safety (TWGFS)

32. Dr. Sabariah Samsudin, the Chairperson of the ACC TWGFS presented the report of the 7th

Meeting of the ACC TWGFS held on 6 May 2015 at the Berkeley HotelPratunam,

Bangkok, Thailand.

33. The Meeting was chaired by Dr. Sabariah Samsudin, Director of the Cocoa Downstream

Technology Division, MCB and co-chaired by Mrs. Peyanoot Naka, Assistant Director of

Horticulture Research Institute, Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and

Cooperatives, Thailand.

34. The Meeting was attended by 22 members and observers from Indonesia, Lao PDR,

Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, Viet Nam and Secretariat of the ACC TWGFS.

35. The highlights of the report are as follows:

i. Indonesia reported that twenty one (21) pesticide residues namely ametryn, carbaryl,

carbofuran, carbosulfan, chlorpyrifos, chlorpyrifos methyl, cyfluthrin, deltametrin,

diazinon, dieldrin, ethion, fenitrothion, fenthion, imidacloprid, lambda-cyhalothrin,

lindane, malathion, methidathion, permethrin, profenofos, and propoxur are not

detected in cocoa beans (Limit of Quantification: 0.01 mg/kg).

ii. Philippines reported on the two (2) training of trainers on the Philippine National

Standards on Cacao Beans and Tablea held on 3-5 September 2014 and 13- 15 April

2015 in two (2) regions.

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iii. Indonesia informed the Meeting that in 2014, Indonesia issued Ministry of

Agriculture Regulation No. 67/2014 on Quality Requirement and Marketing of

Cocoa Bean. This regulation sets the mechanism for monitoring and quality standard

of cocoa bean.

iv. The Philippines reported on the Food Safety Act which was signed into law in 23

August 2013. The implementing rules and regulations is awaiting publication this

year.

v. Indonesia informed that there was no further update pertaining to the establishment

of the maximum levels for cadmium in cocoa and chocolate products imposed by

European Union (EU). Indonesia also informed that Codex Committee on

Contaminants in Foods (CCCF) has initiated a work on Maximum Levels for

Cadmium in Chocolate and Cocoa-Derived Products.

vi. Indonesia reported that cadmium was not detected with Limit of Detection (LOD) of

0.0063 mg/kg and 0.13 - 0.59 mg/kg, respectively in cocoa beans and cocoa powder

produced by Indonesia cocoa grinders. The cadmium content for both products is in

compliance with the requirement of Indonesia National Standard of Cocoa Powder

(Maximum Permitted Level: 1 mg/kg).

vii. Malaysia informed the Meeting that the range value of cadmium content for cocoa

beans from different regions of Malaysia, cocoa liquor and cocoa powder from

Malaysian cocoa grinders are 0.04 - 0.51 mg/kg, 0.03 - 0.31 mg/kg and 0.06 - 0.60

mg/kg, respectively.

viii. Viet Nam informed the Meeting that the highest level of cadmium detected in cocoa

beans is 0.75 mg/kg. This finding is from a single study and in a single sample and

any interpretation should be undertaken with caution.

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ix. Malaysia informed the Meeting that nine (9) pesticide residues namely ametryn,

chlorpyrifos, cypermethrin, cyproconazole, fluazifop-butyl, isazofos, metalaxyl,

oxadixyl and quizalofop-ethyl were not detected in cocoa beans from different

regions of Malaysia. Malaysia will share the test method of cadmium with

Philippines.

x. The ACC TWGFS requested the ACC Secretariat to forward the ASEAN Code of

Practice for the Prevention and Reduction of Ochratoxin A (OTA) Contamination in

Cocoa Beans for endorsement by the Joint Committee on ASEAN Cooperation and

Joint Approaches in Agriculture and Forest Products Promotion Scheme.

xi. The Meeting agreed to have each country presentation on Food Safety Standard and

Regulation related to cocoa and cocoa products in the next meeting as proposed by

Philippines.

xii. The Meeting agreed on sharing information of Mutual Recognition Agreement

(MRA) pertaining to cocoa and cocoa products in ASEAN Consultative Committee

on Standards and Quality Prepared Foodstuff Product Working Group (ACCSQ

PFPWG) within the sovereign rights of every ASEAN country. Thailand agreed to

lead this new initiative.

The full report of the ACC TWGFS meeting is in Annex 9.

AGENDA ITEM 9: PROMOTE COOPERATION, JOINT APPROACHES AND

TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AMONG ASEAN MEMBER COUNTRIES AND

INTERNATIONAL, REGIONAL, ORGANIZATION AND PRIVATE SECTOR

9.1 Trials on Selected Cocoa Progenies in Selected ASEAN Region

36. The Meeting was informed that the Joint Progeny Trial Programme in Indonesia started in

December 2005. The objective of the trial is to select the superior genotype clonal material

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resistance to pest and disease such as cocoa pod borer (CPB) and vascular streak dieback

(VSD). The clonal selection was done by testing some promising cocoa hybrids in

Indonesia and Malaysia using similar progenies.

37. Indonesia reported that the yield potential based on the pod number per tree during the year

of 20092014 indicated that hybrid combination of C 1038 x BR 25 and PBC 159 x NA 33

are having a higher number of pods per tree.

38. The Meeting was also informed that the hybrid combination of C 1038 x BR 25, PBC 123

x QH 22, PBC 159 x QH 22, TSH 858 x KW 162 showed strong resistance to VSD

infestation. The full report by Indonesia is in Annex 10.

39. Malaysia reported that the trial was established in April 2006 under the ASEAN Cocoa

Club Joint Project with an objective to produce hybrids population which possesses good

yield and flavor as well as acceptable bean characteristics. The two institutions involved in

the project are the MCB and Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Institute (ICCRI).

40. The analysis of variance of the cocoa pod yield per tree (PYT) and dry bean yield (DBY)

showed that the main effects (progeny and time) were significant at 5% significant level.

However, the interaction effects were not significant. The progeny effects explained that

there were few progenies performed better than others throughout the years and performed

consistently as there were no interaction effects between progenies and years.

41. The results for cocoa PYT showed that throughout the 7 years of trial from 2008 to 2014,

progeny KW162 x KW163 produced the highest pod yield per tree (6.819) followed by the

KW162 x KEE2 (6.068) while TSH858 x KW163 produced the lowest pod yield per tree

(1.426).

42. The result for cocoa DBY showed that over the 7 years period from 2008 to 2014, progeny

KW162 x KEE2 produced the highest average dry bean yield (211.30 kg/ha) followed by

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the KW162 x KW163 (200.46 kg/ha) while TSH858 x KEE2 produced the lowest average

dry bean yield (55.74 kg/ha).

43. For the VSD assessment conducted in April 2014, the statistical analysis on VSD scoring

showed that no significant difference among the progenies in terms of level of resistant

towards VSD in year 2014. All of the progenies have the range between 2.6 to 3.1 of VSD

scores which were categorized as moderate resistant. However progeny KW162 x KW163

had the lowest VSD score (2.618) followed by KW162 x KEE2 (2.633) while only

TSH858 x KW163 had a score above 3.00.

44. Overall, the result showed that the progenies KW162 x KEE2 and KW162 x KW163 were

the most productive among those tested in this trial. These progenies also possessed

moderate resistance towards the VSD.

45. Malaysia informed the Meeting that the next step of this breeding programme is to

undertake individual tree selection focusing on high yield potential, good flavour and

acceptable bean characteristics and tolerant to VSD. The full report is in Annex 11.

9.2 Project on Pest and Diseases (P&D) Management

46. Malaysia informed the Meeting that the three areas of research collaboration are as

follows:

i. Cocoa Pod Borer (CPB)

ii. VSD

iii. Black pod diseases (BP)

47. Malaysia informed the Meeting that only one project proposal on Particle Film Technology

as a Pest Control Strategy in Sustainable Cacao Production has been prepared by Malaysia

and Indonesia. The project proposal entitled Particle film technology as pest control

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strategy in the management of cocoa pod borer was prepared by the MCB and submitted

to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), Malaysia in October

2014 for research fund approval. No fund was granted yet as the proposal needs to be

revised and resubmitted with some amendments. The full report is in Annex 12.

48. Dr. Amalin of the Philippines reported that Philippines has undertaken the project using

fine clay as an agent against cacao mirid bug in the Philippines. Three experiments are

conducted in laboratory, field cage and open field assessments. The experiments in

laboratory and field cage were successfully done. However, the experiment in the open

field was not able to be carried out due to the recent flooding that badly hit the Philippines.

9.3 Training and Exchange of Technical Expertise and Research Materials

49. Malaysia reported that there are no reports on the training and exchange of expertise and

cocoa hybrid seeds among the ASEAN member countries. The full report is in Annex 13.

9.4 Enhancement of Private Sector Involvement

9.4.1 Cocoa Association of Asia (CAA)

50. Mr. Richard Fahey, Chairman of the CAA presented the latest development on the

programmes and activities carried out by the CAA in 2014 and are as follows:

i. CAANam Long University Project that provides technical training to farmers on

best agricultural practices for cocoa farming and proper fermentation techniques

ii. Attended the ASEAN Cocoa Club Meeting, 7th-8th May 2014, Kota Kinabalu,

Sabah, Malaysia

iii. Attended the 6th Indonesian International Cocoa Conference & Dinner, 1517 May

2014 in Bali, Indonesia

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iv. Liason with FCC for clarification on certain bean quality definitions as per FCC

rules

v. CAA grinds the quarterly grinds (compilation of Malaysian, Singapore and

Indonesian grinds as contributed by CAA members) are ongoing and posted on

CAA website.

The report is in Annex 14.

51. He also highlighted that the negative 10% growth in Asia grindings in 2014 was due to the

changes in the tax structure in export of cocoa beans in Indonesia as well as tariff

disadvantage on cocoa butter from Asia in European Union as compared to the West

African countries. The processors in Asia will be the first to be hit if there are any drop in

demand of cocoa products in Europe.

9.4.2 Cocoa Manufacturers Group (CMG), Malaysia

52. The Meeting noted the status development and the activities conducted by the CMG for

2014 presented by Mr. Brandon Tay Hoe Lian, the Chairman of the CMG.

53. He informed the Meeting that the CMG membership comprises of six cocoa grinders and

Federation of Cocoa Manufacturers as the acting secretariat of the CMG.

54. Mr. Brandon also presented the CMG activities in 2014 as follows:

i. MCBCMG quarterly meetings

ii. Technical Committee Meeting on Cocoa Industry Research

iii. MCBCMG Meeting with Department of Agriculture Biosecurity

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55. He also highlighted the cocoa grinding performance in Malaysia. The total cocoa grindings

in Malaysia in 2014 dropped to 244,423 tonnes from 285,608 tonnes in 2013. He

anticipated that the weak performance would continue in 2015 due to poor demand. His

slide presentation appears in Annex 15.

9.4.3 Indonesia Cocoa Association (ASKINDO) and Indonesia Cocoa Industry

Association (AIKI)

56. Indonesia reported that the cocoa beans production in Indonesia in 2014 was 400,687

tonnes, 17% lower as compare to last year production of 482,248 tonnes. The production

capacity increased from 150,000 tonnes in 2010 to 391,000 tonnes in 2014 and is expected

to increase further to 461,380 tonnes in 2015. The increase in the Indonesia cocoa

processing industry has significantly increased the value of cocoa products export to

240,966 tonnes and imports of cocoa beans to 109,409 tonnes in 2014.

57. Indonesia also reported the following activities carried out in 2014 as follows:

i. Gernas Program where in February 2015, the House of Representative, DPR has

approved the budget of Rp. 1.1 billion to continue the Gernas Kakao program that

aimed to help in improving the Indonesian cocoa farms.

ii. Indonesia Cocoa Day 2014 which was held in Makassar, South Sulawesi on the 14th

September 2014. The 2015 celebration will be held in the city of Yogyakarta in

September. The report is in Annex 16.

9.4.4 Cocoa Foundation of the Philippines (CocoaPhil)

58. Dr. Divina M. Amalin of the CocoaPhil presented the status development of the cocoa

industry in the Philippines in 20142015.

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59. She highlighted that there are around 10,000 to 15,000 cocoa farmers nationwide and the

annual consumption in beans equivalent is about 30,000 tonnes. The average production of

cocoa beans in the Philippines is around 10,000 tonnes with a current average yield per tree

is 1.30 kilos dried beans. The value of imports per year for cocoa is USD 42 million

excluding chocolate products and the average value of exports is USD 3.5 million.

60. She also highlighted that the major cocoa growing regions in the Philippines are in Davao

region, Northern Mindanao, CARAGA, West Mindanao and Eastern Visayas. Davao

region produced 77 % of cocoa beans supply in the last 5 years (2006-2011)

61. She also reported on various partnerships programmes with both government and private

sectors in cocoa farming. Her slide presentation appears in Annex 17.

AGENDA ITEM 10: OTHER MATTERS

10.1 ASEAN Cocoa Club National Focal Point

62. The ACC Secretariat updated the Meeting on the current National Focal Points 2015

submitted by the member countries which is in Annex 18.

63. The Meeting was informed that the total number of memberships of the ASEAN Cocoa

Club National Focal Points in 2015 remains at 27 with the changes in the focal points for

Indonesia, Thailand and ASEAN Secretariat. Change was also made on the designation of

the national focal point of Singapore.

64. The ASEAN member countries are requested to inform of any changes in their focal points

to the ACC Secretariat.

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10.2 Strategic Plan of Action on ASEAN Cooperation in Cocoa Sector 20162020

65. The Meeting noted that in line with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding

(MoU) on ASEAN Cooperation and Joint Approaches in Agriculture and Forest Products

Promotion Scheme for 20152019 during the 36th AMAF on 23 September 2014 in Nay

Pyi Taw, Myanmar, the ASEAN member countries are requested to propose the new

programmes and activities for the Strategic Plan of Action on ASEAN Cooperation in

Cocoa Sector for 20162020. The new SPA on ASEAN Cooperation in cocoa sector will

be discussed and endorsed in the 19th

ASEAN Cocoa Club Meeting in 2016.

AGENDA 11: DATE AND VENUE OF THE NEXT MEETING

66. The Meeting requested Indonesia to consider hosting the 19th ACC Meeting on the ASEAN

Cooperation and Joint Approaches in Agriculture and Forest Products Promotion Scheme

to be held tentatively in the first week of May 2016 as proposed by Philippines.

AGENDA 12: ADOPTION OF THE REPORT

67. The Meeting unanimously adopted the Report of the 18th Meeting of the ASEAN Cocoa

Club on the ASEAN Cooperation and Joint Approaches in Agriculture and Forest Products

Promotion Scheme held on 78 May 2015 at the Berkeley HotelPratunam, Bangkok,

Thailand.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

68. In his closing remarks, the Chairman expressed his gratitude and thanked to all delegates

for their active participation in the Meeting. It had been a fruitful two days meeting and he

was glad that progress has been made in the programmes and activities planned last year.

He also thanked the Local Organizing Committee and the ACC Secretariat for their

support, hard work and making this Meeting happening in Thailand.

69. The delegation of Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore,

Thailand and Viet Nam expressed their sincere appreciation to the Thailand Government in

particular the Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives,

Thailand for the warm hospitality accorded to them and the excellent arrangements made

for the Meeting as well as the ACC Secretariat and the Local Organizing Committee of

Thailand for their hard work and team cooperation rendered in ensuring the successful of

the Meeting.

70. The Meeting was cordially held in the traditional spirit of ASEAN solidarity.

Bangkok, Thailand

8 May 2015

REPORT_18_ACC_Meeting_2015_FINAL

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