Papua New Guinea’s cocoa industry has taken a significant step forward on the global stage, with more than 3,000 participants from 19 provinces converging in Wewak, East Sepik Province, for the 2026 Greater Sepik Cocoa of Excellence and Trade Expo.
The three-day event, held at Sir Michael Thomas Somare Stadium from 21 to 23 April, brought together over 150 farmers and agribusinesses alongside international chocolatiers, buyers and development partners, all focused on improving cocoa quality and strengthening direct trade links to premium global markets.
Officially opening the Expo, East Sepik Governor Allan Bird welcomed dignitaries, including New Zealand High Commissioner Her Excellency Georgina Roberts, international cocoa experts and local leaders, while acknowledging the critical role of farmers in driving the industry.
“For years, you have toiled the earth with your kakao trees… bringing forth fruit and beans that are now transformed into the brown gold the world knows as chocolate,” Bird said.
He emphasised that the competition’s outcome reflects years of effort rather than a single moment of judging.
“Judgement today only recognises the talent and labour that went in long before this moment,” he said, noting that PNG’s cocoa quality is shaped by its natural environment — from soil and rainfall to coastal breezes.
A total of 59 finalists were selected from 370 cocoa samples submitted nationwide, highlighting both the scale of participation and the steady improvement in quality across the sector.
EU-STREIT PNG Programme Coordinator Dr Rabi Rasaily urged farmers and agribusinesses to focus on quality protocols and actively engage with international experts throughout the Expo.
“Without you, there is no chocolate. This is your event. The quality starts with you,” Dr Rasaily said, encouraging growers to explain their processes and learn directly from chocolatiers who understand global market demands.
Fifteen international chocolatiers and niche market representatives from Australia, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, New Zealand and the United States attended, creating rare opportunities for direct engagement between producers and buyers.
A key feature of the Expo was the intensive interaction between the 59 finalists and international judges, including one-on-one interviews focused on improving bean quality, fermentation techniques and meeting international standards. These sessions formed a critical bridge between local production and global market expectations.
Chief judge and master chocolatier Oonagh Browne commended the overall improvement in this year’s entries.
“There has been a significant improvement in this year’s samples, particularly with reduced smoke content in cocoa beans,” she said, urging farmers to taste their own cocoa as part of quality control.
The Expo extended beyond competition, showcasing practical skills and community participation through activities such as the budding competition, which highlighted cocoa propagation techniques, and a popular hot chocolate competition that demonstrated local innovation in value-added cocoa products.
Prior to the event, international experts also conducted hands-on training sessions in Wewak, equipping communities — particularly women — with skills to produce cocoa-based products such as chocolate drinks and cocoa tea using local ingredients. The initiative aims to shift the industry towards greater local consumption and value addition.
Field visits to cocoa farms in Maprik District further strengthened connections between farmers and buyers, with visitors observing improved fermentation practices and solar drying systems supported by the EU-STREIT PNG Programme.
Local industry partners, including Queen Emma Chocolate Company, Federice Estates in Wewak and Wilyete Cocoa Processing Ltd in Vanimo, were recognised for advancing downstream processing and supporting the development of cocoa semi-products within PNG.
Governor Bird also highlighted the need for sustainability, committing support for cocoa fermentary kits to assist cooperative groups in increasing productivity.
“We must increase yields to be competitive… high prices are unsustainable, but high yields are sustainable,” he said.
After days of rigorous judging — including assessments of dry beans, roasted beans and 75 percent chocolate — the Expo concluded with a historic outcome. For the first time, judges declared three equal winners, citing identical world-class quality among the top entries.
The 2026 winners are:
• Jude Jalowa of Sasivi Cooperative, East Sepik
• Paul Esiron of Bele Bele Village, Milne Bay
• David Peko of Topura, Alotau District, Milne Bay
Each winner receives a microlot export licence, a contract with international buyer Cocoa Latitude and direct access to global markets.
The unprecedented result reflects the rising standard of PNG cocoa and growing international confidence in the country’s ability to supply premium-quality beans.
The announcement was made on Thursday, 23 April, the final day of the Expo, drawing excitement from farmers, industry stakeholders and international cocoa partners gathered in Wewak.
