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Papua New Guinea’s Cocoa Industry is reaping the benefits of global climate change challenges and disease outbreaks affecting two of the world’s top cocoa-producing nations — Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. With Côte d’Ivoire producing over 2.2 million tonnes and Ghana contributing 1.1 million tonnes annually, PNG’s modest 42,000 tonnes — just 1% of the global market — has become more valuable than ever.
In a record-breaking year, PNG’s cocoa exports generated an unprecedented K1.2 billion in revenue, marking a staggering 105.2% increase from previous years, despite production volumes holding steady at 42,000 tonnes.
At a world market price of K34,000 per tonne, PNG cocoa farmers are experiencing a financial windfall, with the average development cost per hectare sitting at K15,000 and yielding approximately 500 kg of cocoa beans.
Ambitious Expansion Plans Under NASP 2024-2033
Under the National Agriculture Sector Plan (NASP) 2024-2033, which was launched in June 2024 by Agriculture Minister Hon. John Boito and Prime Minister Hon. Prime Minister, PNG has set its sights on transforming the cocoa industry. The plan allocates 50,000 hectares for large-scale commercial cocoa farming and Agriculture Minister Hon. John Boito wants to see the PNG Economy in 10 years time and will be the bigger contributor of the PNG economy just like back in 70s, 80s and 90s.
In the first year alone, the target is to cultivate 18,000 hectares, requiring a capital investment of K270 million. This expansion is expected to produce an additional 9,000 tonnes of cocoa, generating around K375 million in new revenue, boosting the total cocoa export volume to 51,000 tonnes.
Over the next 10 years, the NASP aims to push total production to 67,000 tonnes, positioning PNG among the top 9 global cocoa exporters — a significant leap from its current below-10 ranking.
The Prime Minister’s Vision for Agricultural Prosperity
Since Prime Minister Hon. James Marape declared his vision of making PNG “the richest black Christian nation,” substantial investments have flowed into the agriculture and livestock sectors. The Prime Minister’s foresight is becoming reality, as the cocoa industry now stands as a shining example of PNG’s untapped agricultural potential.
However, Koren Maso, Executive Chairman of the National Rice and Grain Board, emphasizes that while the cocoa sector has seen notable growth, the full potential of PNG’s agricultural sector remains underutilized due to insufficient funding for large-scale greenfield developments.
> “If all agriculture commodities had been adequately funded over the past four years, PNG would now be reaping even more from global market shifts,” said Maso. “With proper investment, we can consistently achieve windfalls like we saw in 2024.”
Call for Hybrid Cocoa Varieties and Strategic Investments
To meet its ambitious production targets, PNG must prioritize the use of hybrid and cloned cocoa varieties to maximize yields. With strategic funding and continued support, PNG has the potential to sustain — and even surpass — the K2.57 billion projected export revenue outlined in the NASP.
The PNG Cocoa Industry’s 2024 windfall serves as a reminder of the nation’s vast agricultural potential and the significant economic growth that can be achieved through strategic planning and investment.
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By: Koren Maso
Executive Chairman
National Rice and Grain Board
