East Sepik is best producing cocoa province

 EAST Sepik has accounted for the largest share or 32.2 per cent of total cocoa production in the past year.

Cocoa production in June quarter of 2014 reached 8813 tonnes, 10 per cent lower or 890 tonnes less than production in the same period of 2013.

According to a market report East Sepik was the lead producing province and accounted for 2838 tonnes of total production in the period. 

The province was followed by Autonomous Region of Bougainville 32 per cent (2803 tonnes), Madang 15 per cent (1357 tonnes), East New Britain 11 per cent (969 tonnes), Morobe four per cent (379 tonnes), West Sepik and West New Britain 2 per cent each (150 tonnes) and New Ireland 1 per cent (97 tonnes).

The balance of one per cent (88 tonnes) was accounted for by Northern. Cocoa exports last year totalled 24,826 tonnes, 12 per cent lower or 3456 tonnes less than export volume for the same period in 2013.

Export for the first half of 2014 totalled 15,190 tonnes less than the previous year. 

Export earnings last year reached K164 million representing an increase of 22 per cent of K29 million more due to higher cocoa prices.