All-time high coffee prices are bringing benefits to Papua New Guinean coffee growers and exporters, but also some challenges, as business leaders in the sector tell Business Advantage PNG.
Agribusiness
Papua New Guinea’s Morobe Province recently issued titles to landowner groups for a small percentage of the fertile Markham Valley. Grow PNG’s David Stewart tells Business Advantage PNG that this has sparked interest from third-party investors in what could become a case study for the development of the country’s agriculture sector.
Smallholder farms are the key to success for Papua New Guinea coffee producer, Kongo Coffee. Paul Chai reports.
Some key Papua New Guinea state assets, including the site of Port Moresby’s old port, are being readied for redevelopment, with private sector investment being sought. The move is being guided by a new investment strategy from state holding company, Kumul Consolidated Holdings.
To cater for growing global demand for organically-grown vanilla, Madang-based exporter Kamapin is expanding its support for Papua New Guinea’s vanilla growers. Business Advantage PNG spoke with Managing Director, Dr Nancy Irwin, about the crop’s potential.
With rice farming expanding in Papua New Guinea, the country’s largest rice supplier, Trukai Industries, is partnering with tertiary institutions to help upskill farmers on the basics of irrigation rice farming.
Last year, the United Kingdom government used major sporting events like the Commonwealth Games and the Rugby League World Cup to showcase Papua New Guinea coffee. Keith Scott, the UK’s High Commissioner to PNG, tells Business Advantage PNG of further plans to encourage more business with post-Brexit Britain.
There are expectations of a bumper cocoa crop in 2023, according to the new CEO of Papua New Guinea’s largest cocoa exporter, NGIP Agmark. However, Steven Nightingale tells Business Advantage PNG that profitability will depend on tighter control of rising costs.
Helping Hand Honey Producers, Papua New Guinea’s second largest honey producer, has long-term goals to increase honey production to meet rising demand and also export. Founder and Managing Director Kelly Inae talks to Business Advantage PNG.
Papua New Guinea’s fertile Markham and Ramu valleys have the potential to become a food basket for the Asia-Pacific region. An International Finance Corporation (IFC) study highlights how this could be achieved.