Future of Food: Journal on Food

From Crude Palm oil to Chocolate: The Future of Indonesia’s Cocoa Plantations by Analysis of International Chocolate Prices on the Increase in Indonesian Chocolate Production Volume

M. Akbar Siregar
Universitas Medan Area, Medan, Sumatera Utara, Indonesia.
Rizal Aziz
Universitas Medan Area, Medan, Sumatera Utara, Indonesia.
Tohap Parulian Sihombing
Universitas Medan Area, Medan, Sumatera Utara, Indonesia.
Rahmad Syah
Universitas Medan Area, Medan, Sumatera Utara, Indonesia.
Ikbar Pratama
Universitas Medan Area, Medan, Sumatera Utara, Indonesia.

Indonesia’s cocoa sector has fallen behind other major producers like Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana. The volatility of global chocolate prices is a crucial factor of cocoa production in emerging economies. To resolve this issue, it is essential to analyse global chocolate pricing. This study aims to investigate the influence of perceived international chocolate price trends on cocoa production volume, as well as the mediating effect of cocoa farmers’ investment plans. Primary data were obtained from Indonesian cocoa producers through a questionnaire survey, yielding 333 valid replies. The answers were analysed by structural equation modelling. The study’s f indings emphasised the beneficial impact of perceived international chocolate price trends on cocoa output volume, mediated via cocoa farmers’ investment intentions. This study also identified the moderating influence of government agricultural support, a factor overlooked in prior research. The study’s findings indicated that governmental agricultural support can enhance the correlation between perceived international chocolate price trends and cocoa output volume. These results are crucial for Indonesian cocoa production and beneficial for strategically expanding the agricultural export base and enhancing its participation in the global cocoa market.

Keywords : Chocolate Price Trend, Cocoa Production Volume, Farmers’ Investment Intention, Government Agricultural Support, Crude Palm Oil .
Mark Speckien
Louisiana Tech University
Mark Speckien
Louisiana Tech University
International students are more likely to experience mental health issues and increased stress. Mental health is often surrounded by negative societal stigmas that act as barriers to seeking support and tend to lead to greater mental health concerns. International students tend to seek socioemotional support from other international student peers rather than seeking out counseling services. However, this study shows that LGBTQIA+ international students were less likely to seek socioemotional support from other international student peers due to fear of their sexual orientation being discovered and their families finding out about their identity. This study examines how LGBTQIA+ international students talk about their experiences on and off campus in relations to their socioemotional well-being. Specifically, this study sought to better understand the complexities of LGBTQIA+ students’ identities, and the challenges they faced in terms of their socioemotional well-being. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.
Keywords : international students, socioemotional well-being, mental health, identity development, intersectionality, LGBTQIA