New initiative to improve cocoa quality

THE country’s cocoa industry is set to improve its status in international markets, thanks to recent investment targeted at reducing smoke taint and improving cocoa quality, according to Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Plus Programmme (Phama Plus).
PNG Cocoa Board is working with Phama Plus to to enhance opportunities for cocoa-growing communities in PNG.
“Through the support of Australia and New Zealand, Phama Plus has been in collaboration with the PNG Cocoa Board since 2015, providing training in innovative farming practices that maximise profitability and income and maintain a sustainable value chain to improve international competitiveness for PNG sourced cocoa,” Phama Plus said in a statement.
“PNG is a longstanding producer of high-quality cocoa on the global market; however, due to smoke taint affecting the flavour of cocoa, PNG’s fine flavour status was recently reduced (from 90 percent to 75 percent) by the International Cocoa Organisation.
“This impacted the premiums paid for cocoa and influences the value of trade from international niche and specialty cocoa buyers.
“Recently, 57 local farmers and their team leaders in Lower Watut, Morobe and Aitape, West Sepik attended training sessions delivered by Cocoa Board officers on the correct post-harvest practices to better understand key stages of primary processing of cocoa, including harvesting, transportation, fermentation, drying and storage.”