How a 1-week contest inspired farmers and boosted Solomons cocoa exports
TEN new farmers emerged as finalists at this year’s Solomon Islands Chocolate Week – a sign that more cocoa producers are becoming interested in producing quality cocoa. And according to the Solomon Islands Commodities Export Marketing Authority, the annual event has had a direct impact on the volume of cocoa beans exported to boutique chocolate markets by the Solomon Islands.
Held at the National Auditorium in Honiara from April 24-28, this year’s event was hailed as a success by stakeholders for its support of cocoa farmers and for facilitating new more profitable market opportunities for their quality cocoa.
The event was organised by the Australian and New Zealand-funded Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access (*PHAMA) Program, Adventist Development Relief Agency (ADRA) and Solomon Islands Rural Development Program (RDP), in collaboration with the Commodities Export Marketing Authority (CEMA) and Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL).
Through PHAMA’s support, chocolate makers from Australia, New Zealand, and the USA attended as judges.
…..to read more buy your personal copy at
