Guan Chong posts US$22.29M Q1 profit as cocoa prices drive revenue surge 

MALAYSIA – Guan Chong Bhd, the world’s fourth-largest cocoa grinder by capacity, reported a 2.78% increase in net profit to RM94.6 million (US$22.29M) for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025, compared to RM92.04 million (US$21.7M) in the same period a year earlier. 

According to its filing with Bursa Malaysia, the growth in profit was driven by a significant 130% surge in revenue, which rose to RM4.31 billion (US$1B) from RM1.87 billion (US$440.6M in the previous year’s first quarter.  

The increase in revenue was attributed to higher cocoa product prices, reflecting strong market demand despite some volatility. 

The profit growth was partially offset by a 67% year-on-year rise in finance costs, amounting to RM95.54 million (US$22.5M) for the quarter. The company did not declare any dividend for the reporting period. 

“Despite a slight decrease since the beginning of 2025, cocoa prices remain historically high, reflecting the market’s sensitivity to supply disruptions,” the company said in its statement.  

It added that while a minor reduction in global cocoa demand is anticipated, the outlook remains uncertain due to fluctuating supply and economic conditions. 

Guan Chong emphasized that it is monitoring market developments closely and has taken proactive steps to secure a stable cocoa bean supply to ensure consistent factory operations. The company is also focused on careful working capital management to maintain liquidity. 

Going forward, the group plans to continue focusing on its core cocoa ingredients segment, while strategically expanding into the higher-margin industrial chocolate sector and optimizing production efficiency in response to market trends. 

Guan Chong operates cocoa grinding facilities across Malaysia (150,000 tonnes), Indonesia (120,000 tonnes), and Ivory Coast (65,000 tonnes), with additional operations in the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom, totaling over 450,000 tonnes of annual production capacity. 

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