The Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG), through the Bougainville Agriculture Commodities Regulatory Authority (BACRA), has issued cocoa export licenses to six companies as it strengthens regulatory control over the sector and reports record production in 2025.
The first three licenses were issued in October 2025 to Sankamap, Elliven and Bougainville Organic Export Company. On Friday, three additional licenses were granted to Coconut Products Ltd., AGMARK and PNG Pacific Capital Ltd., marking what officials described as Bougainville’s growing control over its cocoa industry.
The issuance of licenses follows the passage of the Bougainville Agriculture Commodities Regulatory Act 2020 and the formal establishment of BACRA to regulate the agriculture and commodities sector in Bougainville. Under the regulations, the BACRA Advisory Council facilitates the screening and approval of license applications.
Previously, cocoa export licenses were issued by the PNG Cocoa Board. Those functions have since been transferred to the ABG Department of Primary Industry and are now being operationalized by BACRA.
ABG Minister for Primary Industry Clarence Dency said the transition represents a significant shift in the ownership and governance of one of Bougainville’s most important cash crops.
“For the first time, Bougainville is fully in control of its cocoa export system. This means that 100 percent of cocoa export levies are now paid directly to the ABG through BACRA, ensuring that revenue generated from our cocoa industry stays in Bougainville and benefits our people,” Dency said.
Secretary for the Department of Primary Industry Kenneth Dovaro said revenue collected through BACRA will be reinvested to strengthen the cocoa industry.
“The funds generated will be used to build industry capacity through research and development, extension services, compliance monitoring and effective administration of the sector,” Dovaro said.
He added that the establishment of BACRA will significantly improve data collection and planning.
“For the first time, we are able to systematically collect accurate data on cocoa production across Bougainville. This will greatly improve future planning and policy decisions for the industry,” he said.
Bougainville has maintained its position as the country’s leading cocoa producer in recent years, with production in 2025 reaching approximately 23,500 metric tons.
“This is a historic high production level and very significant to the national and local economy, as this is valued at over K750 million from our estimates,” Dovaro said.
“We estimate that about 80 percent, or K600 million, of the total revenue went directly to farmers,” he added.
Under the new licensing arrangements, all cocoa exporters operating in Bougainville will be fully accountable to BACRA, including compliance with license conditions, monitoring requirements and quality standards. Officials said these requirements are expected to flow through the supply chain to farmers.
The Department of Primary Industry will also conduct regionwide awareness programs targeting cocoa farmers to promote quality production, proper registration of fermentaries and compliance with industry standards.
Dency said the measures are aimed at protecting and maintaining Bougainville’s reputation for high-quality cocoa while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the industry.
