Currently, various products from Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have succeeded in penetrating the international market. One of them is processed chocolate with the Sulamine brand. The refined product from the Sula Islands Regency, North Maluku Province is increasingly favored by European consumers. It is not surprising that the export activity is increasing to the blue continent, especially the UK. It is known that Sulamina Chocolate is in the form of bars or chocolate bars which are sold to the export market. The owner of the North Maluku Sulamina Chocolate business, Linda said, the export of chocolate bars to England had been carried out three times. "There will be 2 exports in 2022 and the last one was on January 21, 2023. In total, approximately 1,500 more chocolate bars were exported," said Linda on the rri.co.id page quoted on Monday, January 23, 2023. According to Linda, Sumina Chocolate has a number of flavor variants sent to England, including Dark 65%, Dark 75%, Milk Chocolate Original, Milk Chocolate Raisins, Milk Chocolate Coffee, Milk Chocolate Kenari and Milk Chocolate Cashew. Chocolate bar products from UMKM are exported through PT Alam Bumi Emterprises As usual, before exporting chocolate, a series of inspections is carried out by Quarantine officers as health insurance so that this product can be accepted in the destination country and a Phytosanitary Certificate is issued by Quarantine officials.
Meanwhile, not long ago, the Head of the Ternate Class II Agricultural Quarantine Center (BKP) Tasrif said, this export activity was the third time carried out for chocolate bars to England and was the first export in early 2023. This export certainly proves that The results from North Maluku's land have the potential to increase the wheels of the community's economy. "Exports in early 2023 are expected to spur an increase in exports of cocoa bars and other agricultural commodities originating from North Maluku so that they can spread to various parts of the world," concluded Tasrif.
