Final judging of Papua New Guinea’s top 59

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 components, the dry beans, the roasted beans, and the 75 percent chocolate. It’s like three pieces of a jigsaw puzzle coming together to give us the full picture of quality.”

The multi-layered evaluation process is designed to capture the complete journey of Cocoa, from raw bean quality to flavour development after roasting, and finally to the finished chocolate product. This approach ensures that each sample is assessed not only for its physical characteristics but also for its flavour profile and overall market potential.

Adding weight to the process, Browne confirmed that the judging panel includes international cocoa buyers who source beans from across the globe. Their involvement ensures that the competition aligns with global industry expectations.

“We have international buyers as key judges who purchase cocoa from around the world,” she said. “This means the 59 samples are being judged against international standards.”

The presence of global buyers is expected to create direct market linkages for local farmers, providing a rare opportunity for Papua New Guinea cocoa producers to benchmark their product on the world stage.

The final judging will determine the top three winners, who will be officially announced on the final day of the Expo on April 23. The event continues to position East Sepik Province as a growing hub for premium cocoa production, bringing international attention closer to local farmers and their produce.