International cocoa/chocolate experts visit Amazon Bay
At least ten international Cocoa and chocolate experts are in the country visiting local cocoa farmers, this week, in the Amazon Bay in Central Province, accompanied by PNGs own Queen Emma Chocolate of Paradise Food industry General Manager, Karina Makori.
The team arrived in Alotau, Milne Bay Province, over the weekend before travelling by road and motorboat to Amazon Bay.
This is the second cocoa tourism adventure by international experts to PNG, aimed at giving the cocoa tourist first-hand experience about rural cocoa farming.
Led by New Zealand's Cacao Ambassador, Oonagh Brown of Weave Cacao, together with PNGs very own Queen Emma Chocolate of Paradise Food industry General Manager Karina Makori, the visit to Amazon Bay is to give these visitors the opportunity to experience and understand what it truly takes to be a rural cocoa farmer.
"I always endeavored to go remote to communities that have never been visited before. Bringing these chocolate makers so they can actually see the trees, meet the farmers and really understand what it takes for cocoa to be available for them overseas.
"This way we can create a bridge between world market and the actual farmers," Ms. Brown said.
Ms. Brown says the cocoa tour also includes young people who have been engaged in Cocoa farming overseas, and they will share their experiences with the local youths to help them understand the income potential on cocoa farming.
"There's a disconnect with youths being cocoa farmers, so this is inspiring to show them that there's a whole new way possible through cocoa," she said.
The team is currently in Amazon Bay and expected to return to Alotau, Milne Bay Province, at the end of the week to visit other local cocoa farmers.
Brown led PNGs first cocoa tourism tour in November 2025, to Makamaka LLG in Alotau District, Milne Bay Province, and this year, she's led another group of cocoa and chocolate experts to Amazon Bay in Central Province to experience and learn, as recipients, where their cocoa and chocolate is being farmed.