Wahyu Dwi Anggoro
In terms of quantity, based on data from the Statistics Indonesia (BPS), Indonesia´s cocoa exports to the US in 2023 will be 48,158.29 tonnes with a value of US$187.26 million. This figure increased by 0.4% from the export volume in 2022 of 47,955.25 tonnes. The US is Indonesia's second largest cocoa export destination after India. In 2023, the US was recorded to have accounted for 48.4% of Indonesians´ total cocoa exports.
For this reason, the Indonesian Consulate General in San Francisco and Raphio Chocolate agreed to encourage and increase Indonesian cocoa exports to the US, including the penetration of Indonesian artisanal chocolate products in the US West Coast working area in particular and the US in general, and there is added value that can be felt by Indonesian cocoa farmers and chocolate industry entrepreneurs. Currently, the Indonesian diaspora businessman is exporting cocoa from various regions, such as Sumba, Papua, Bali, Sulawesi, West Java, as well as Jember and several areas in East Java.
For the support of the Indonesian Consulate General in San Francisco, Yohanes and Elisia expressed their gratitude for the cooperation and collaboration so far, which has helped boost Indonesian cocoa and chocolate exports, as well as raise awareness of the quality of Indonesian cocoa and chocolate products in the US. The Indonesian Diaspora is considered to have a central role as part of the RI Representative´s partners to continue to promote and strengthen synergy with business partners in carrying out economic diplomacy missions that can increase benefits for Indonesia's economic growth.
Consul General Prasetyo emphasised that the momentum of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Indonesia and the US this year needs to be utilised to strengthen the economic diplomacy mission, which requires the support of all Indonesian partners and diaspora in the accreditation area. One of them is with Raphio Chocolate, in optimising useful promotional activities, so that Indonesian products become better known and in demand by the American public.
Raphio Chocolate, which has been operating since 2016, has successfully distributed its artisan chocolate products in nearly 100 stores across the US. Raphio Chocolate is also an active member of the Indonesian Cocoa Society (MKI) and the cocoa and chocolate business community in the US. The company also imports cocoa beans from Indonesia and other countries, and is frequently entered in international exhibitions and competitions, such as the International Chocolate Awards America 2019 (Bronze), Academy of Chocolate Silver Awards 2018 and Academy of Chocolate Bronze Awards 2019. Through its team in Indonesia, the chocolate MSME has also won the Origin Chocolate Winner 2023, at the Indonesian Cocoa Day 2023 contest. To increase its business capacity, the company also frequently participates in various international trainings. (WHY)
