In an effort to boost coffee exports in Papua New Guinea (PNG), the Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access (PHAMA) Program recently sponsored PNG’s Coffee Competition in Lae. The event was first held in 2014, and is fast gaining popularity; it is the brain-child of PNG’s Coffee Industry Corporation (CIC). As part of the industry’s Tree to Cup Policy, the competition gives exposure for PNG coffee farmers and co-operatives to international buyers. The value of the event is evident, with the winner of the 2014 event quadrupling export sales following the win.

This event is well aligned with one of PHAMA’s key roles, the promotion of Pacific exports of primary and value added produce. This year, PHAMA was a silver sponsor of the event, supporting many of the coffee producers who participated in the competition, as well as covering the costs of four international judges/buyers to attend the event. In addition to the international judges and interested coffee buyers, over 60 local coffee growing groups from various coffee producing provinces around the country participated in the event. CIC, PNG’s Investment Promotion Authority, donor agencies, PNG’s Department of Agriculture & Livestock also attended.

During the event, producers were able to negotiate exports of their high quality coffee to a small group of coffee buyers from Korea. PHAMA and the CIC will be following the success of these negotiations and providing support where needed.

Contact:
Sidney Suma
PNG Country Manager
Phone: +675 313 7940
Email: s.suma@phamaplus.com.au

Left: Papua New Guinea’s Coffee Competition / Coffee Industry Corporation (CIC)