Quality coffee in PNG required to meet China’s growing coffee demand

With a population of 1.4 billion people and a rapidly expanding middle class, China represents one of the largest and fastest-growing coffee markets in the world.

Prime Minister James Marape said coffee consumption in China has been rising at a rate of approximately 15% annually, far outpacing global averages.

“China alone needs a substantial amount of coffee every month. The market is there, but unfortunately we are not yet producing enough to meet the demand,” he said.

He adds that this untapped opportunity pains him because PNG could be earning significant foreign exchange revenue in U.S dollars, through exports to China.

Prime Minister Marape emphasized that PNG's farmers and producers must seize this opportunity and scale up production to meet market demands.

Meanwhile Marape commended the progress made in recent years, particularly the successful collaboration between National Agriculture Quarantine and Inspection Authority [NAQIA] and China, to meet required phytosanitary and agricultural standards.

“Our government has worked very hard over the last five years to secure this historic agreement, and I extend my heartfelt thanks to the Chinese government for facilitating this process.

“Their recognition to PNG's agriculture potential is a testament to the strength of our bilateral relationship," Said Marape.

This will now pave way for more quality product to be exported overseas.