Competition benefits coffee farmers

 THE second national coffee cupping competition facilitated by the Coffee Industry Corporation last September created a new market opportunity for coffee cooperative groups, an official says.

A total of 88 green bean bags of Arabica coffee and 77 bags of Robusta coffee from the competition were sold to Coffee Plant Korea. 

The company paid a premium price for the coffee after the competition. According to CIC, 62 groups from the coast participated with 43 from the Highlands. The coastal groups were from Morobe, East Sepik, Madang, Milne Bay and Oro.

The coffees were bought at K8 per kilogramme by Coffee Plant Korea in January.

The coffees were exported as origin coffees to be sold as Origin coffees in Korean coffee shops. 

CIC Senior Quality Officer Rose Romalus said this was a new market opportunity for farmers who must be supported in the best possible way.

But despite the excitement, Morobe farmers said they still lacked mills to process, prepare and continue the supply of coffee.