Milne Bay cocoa farmers head to Wewak to defend title

A group of Milne Bays ccoca farmers left Alotau at the weekend to join others at the Greater Sepik Cocoa of Excellence & Trade Exoo 2026, hosted by Wewak next week.

They're heading there to defend their title and to experience new information and ideas to bring back home.

Alotau District is supporting a total 25 of its cocoa farmers to attend the Expo, to be staged at the Sir Michael Somare Stadium in Wewak from April 21 to 23 next week.

Wilson Hilary, the Administrator for Alotau District.

They're a group aside from title defenders out of Kiriwina-Goodenough.

Alotau MP Ricky Morris hopes to join his team there, he says this was the district's initiative to empower cocoa farmers, adding 15 of Milne Bay's samples sent ahead for testing, qualifying out of 59 farmers.

Alotau MP, Ricky Morris.

He says the expectations to learn from Sepik is one not to be missed.

There will be some International importers and chocolatiers at the meet, the event a major national gathering to showcase PNG's finest flavor cocoa and connect farmers directly with international buyers.

The group is mixed, including local product development entrepreneurs.

Gwen Jerome from the Maramatana LLG

It's a biennial national competition that began in 2017 to promote cocoa, Alotau was the last host back in 2024.