Officials highlight need to focus on selling coffee abroad

MARKETING needs more attention in exporting the country’s coffee to the international market.
This was highlighted during signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Coffee Industry Corporation (CIC) and the Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Plus (Phama Plus) in Port Moresby yesterday.
Phama Plus is supported by the Australian and New Zealand governments in countries including Fiji, PNG, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu.
Rachael McCarthy, of the New Zealand High Commission, said the NZ government was happy to support PNG coffee farmers, especially women coffee growers through this programme.
Joshua Kaile, of the Australia department of foreign affairs said, as a development partner, they recognised the importance of agriculture in the country through coffee.
CIC general manager Steven Tumae highlighted the need for more exposure in terms of marketing local coffee for export to overseas markets.
“The MoU is a partnership agreement between Phama and ourselves (CIC),” he said.
“It’s basically to do with Phama Plus helping us with the marketing of coffee overseas. We’ve been putting a lot of money into the coffee industry but there has not been enough help.
“We are hoping that Phama can train people in the industry.
“We’ve also asked them to help set up quality control grading labs in certain areas throughout the country.”
Phama Plus provides practical and targeted assistance for Pacific island countries to manage regulatory aspects associated with exporting primary and value-added products.
This includes accessing products into new markets and managing issues associated with maintaining and improving existing trade.