Photo Credit : ESP Protocol Officer Mr. Patrick Nek The Greater Sepik Cocoa of Excellence and Trade Expo 2026 concluded on a high note yesterday evening in Wewak, with a dazzling fireworks display proudly sponsored by the Sandaun Provincial Government. The three-day event was trouble-free and filled with excitement, meaningful networking, knowledge sharing, cultural exchange, business engagements, and celebration of Papua New Guinea’s finest cocoa. Farmers, cooperatives, inte

Farmers take center stage in a budding competition Thirty-six cocoa farmers have taken center stage in a budding competition at the ongoing Greater Sepik Cocoa of Excellence and Trade Expo in Wewak. The competition, one of the key activities on the final day of the Expo, brings together skilled farmers to demonstrate the important technique of cocoa budding, a critical method used to improve cocoa quality, increase yield, and strengthen disease resistance. Farmers from across

Three equal winners declared, Jude Jalowa, Paul Esiron and David Peko. For the first time, judges have declared three equal winners after confirming that all top samples reached the same exceptional quality standard— making it nearly impossible to separate a single champion. Our 2026 Winners are: Jude Jalowa– Sasivi Corporative, Biwat Angoram (East Sepik) Paul Esiron – Goodenough, Bele Bele Village (Milne Bay) David Peko – Topura, Alotau District (Milne Bay) All three winn

Team Milne Bay at their stall. Defending champions Milne Bay Province are back on the national stage, eyeing to defend their cocoa title at the Greater Sepik Cocoa of Excellence and Trade Expo currently underway in Wewak. Milne Bay claimed top honours at the 2023 Cocoa of Excellence Show hosted in Alotau, setting a benchmark for quality cocoa production in Papua New Guinea. Their return to this year’s competition signals strong intent to retain the prestigious title. Adding w

Team West Sepik prepare for show. The West Sepik Provincial Government has been widely acknowledged for its meaningful contribution towards the Greater Sepik Cocoa of Excellence and Trade Expo 2026 currently underway in Wewak. Through its Provincial Administration, Sandaun committed K250,000 as a Silver Sponsor, with the clear purpose of strengthening Greater Sepik collaboration as the host region of the Expo. The support reflects a shared vision among Sepik provinces to work

Photo from Queen Emma Chocolate Company The Greater Sepik Cocoa of Excellence & Trade Expo has officially opened today in Wewak, bringing together a powerful display of national unity as cocoa farmers and stakeholders from across Papua New Guinea gather in one place. The opening ceremony set the tone for the event, with the presence of Georgina Roberts, alongside East Sepik Governor Allan Bird, Public Service Minister Joe Sungi, and Wewak MP Stanley Samban, marking the signif

Judging team visit to Maprik. PC: EU STRAIT FB PAGE Wewak ESP-The vision of “ Promoting Excellence in PNG Cocoa and bringing the market closer to the farmers” is already taking shape as the Greater Sepik Cocoa of Excellence & Trade Expo builds momentum in East Sepik Province. Today, through the Greater Sepik Cocoa of Excellence and Trade Expo Committee, thirteen international cocoa partners travelled into the heart of cocoa-growing communities in Maprik District, visiting Bal

The final judging of Papua New Guinea’s top 59 cocoa samples officially commenced yesterday at the Village Inn Hotel Wewak, marking a critical milestone in the lead-up to the Greater Sepik Cocoa of Excellence & Trade Expo 2026. National Head Judge Oonagh Browne described this stage of judging as significantly more rigorous and comprehensive compared to the preliminary round. “This time, it’s different to the preliminary judging,” Browne explained. “We are assessing three key

In a powerful shift toward local value addition, three international cocoa experts have begun equipping communities in East Sepik with practical skills to transform raw cocoa into everyday food products, just days before the highly anticipated Greater Sepik Cocoa of Excellence & Trade Expo. Jeffrey Bootsma, Mark McAllister, and Oonagh Browne led a one-day hands-on training today in Hawain, Wewak District, where more than 30 participants mostly mothers, along with several men,

Pre-judging at the Queen Emma Chocolate Factory, Paradise Foods Ltd, Port Moresby A total of 351 cocoa samples from dedicated farmers and cooperatives have been submitted for pre-judging at the Queen Emma Chocolate Factory, Paradise Foods Ltd, Port Moresby. The pre-judging commenced yesterday, and from these entries, the Top 50 samples will advance to the main competition at the Greater Sepik Cocoa of Excellence & Trade Expo, happening 21st–23rd April. These finalists will co

The Greater Sepik Cocoa of Excellence and Trade Expo 2026 is building strong national momentum, uniting partners across Papua New Guinea to promote excellence in cocoa and position the Sepik on the global stage this April.

The East Sepik Provincial Administration has reinforced its support for the Greater Sepik Cocoa of Excellence and Trade Expo by presenting a K32,000 cheque to the organizing committee. The contribution will boost preparations for the April 21–23, 2026 Expo in Wewak, which aims to showcase PNG cocoa and connect local farmers with international buyers.

The Greater Sepik Cocoa of Excellence & Trade Expo 2026 is expanding its nationwide fundraising campaign with two upcoming Corporate Fundraising Dinners in Vanimo on 12 December 2025 and Lae on 26 January 2026. Following the strong launch in Port Moresby, these events aim to raise vital funds to support the Expo in Wewak next April, helping deliver a world-class platform for cocoa farmers, buyers, exporters, and industry partners across Papua New Guinea.

The Greater Sepik Cocoa of Excellence & Trade Expo 2026 is preparing to roll out two additional Corporate Fundraising Dinners as part of its nationwide fundraising campaign to support next year’s major cocoa event in Wewak. Following the successful launch in Port Moresby, the Expo’s Technical Advisory and Working Committee has confirmed that the next fundraising dinners will be held in Vanimo on 12 December 2025 and in Lae on 26 January 2026 by. The Committee says the goal of

Daryl Worimo Wobar-Regional Cocoa Coordinator, East/West Sepik, Ali Said Yesuf- Program Coordinator EU-STREIT PNG, Cocoa of Excellence & Trade Expo Technical Working Committee Interim Chairman- Jeffrey Yawi at the Cocoa Expo First Fundraising Dinner in Village Inn, Wewak, ESP (Image and story from NBC PNG) The Greater Sepik Region cocoa farmers will meet face-to-face with international chocolate tasters, investors, and buyers from overseas for the first time in 2026 at the Co

Picture and story from PNG Bulletin. (Above: MP Hon. James Donald who also pledged 1 Million to the Event) Meanwhile, in Port Moresby, political attention shifted this evening to the Greater Sepik Cocoa of Excellence Trade and Expo Fundraising Dinner, hosted at the Dynasty Restaurant. Hon. James Donald, Member for North Fly and Deputy Opposition Leader, was captured arriving as an attendee at the event. Governor Allan Bird also confirmed his attendance as the Keynote Speaker,

The Greater Sepik Cocoa of Excellence & Trade Expo is set to be the biggest event ever held in East Sepik Province, bringing international buyers, chocolate makers, and investors to meet local farmers for the first time from April 21st–23rd, 2026. The first corporate fundraiser at the Village Inn raised K210,000, showing strong confidence in the region’s growing cocoa industry. Interim Committee Chairman Mr. Jeffrey Yawi thanked all contributors and said the funds will help b