LAE, Papua New Guinea – IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, has announced the establishment of the Papua New Guinea Coffee Trade Logistics Working Group to increase exports and create opportunities for smallholder farmers to meet the growing global demand for the country’s coffee.
The Papua New Guinea government aims to double its existing annual export volume to 2 million bags of green coffee beans, but the industry needs to overcome some trade logistics challenges in order to achieve this target.
“Lack of coordination has greatly impeded our industry’s ability to meet its full potential, as has deficiencies in logistics and processes within the coffee supply chain,” said Anton Benjamin, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Coffee Industry Corp., a member of the Papua New Guinea Coffee Trade Logistics Working Group.
The working group comprises both government and private sector representatives, including the Coffee Industry Corp., the Coffee Exporters Council, Papua New Guinea Ports, the National Agriculture Quarantine Inspection Authority, freight forwarders, and shipping and port-services companies.
It aims to examine the export processes and recommend ways to improve coordination among the different parties along the coffee supply chain and streamline trade logistics to reduce the time needed from the warehouse to the wharf.
“Improved efficiency in trade logistics will not only reduce the cost of doing business for exporters, but will also increase coffee producers’ incomes by expanding their access to global markets demanding high-quality coffee,” said Carolyn Blacklock, IFC Resident Representative in Papua New Guinea.
Coffee production is the backbone of the rural economy in Papua New Guinea, with around 2.5 million Papua New Guineans depending on it for cash needs.
“The demand for Papua New Guinea coffee is steadily rising as people across the world discover the high quality of our product,” said Jon Edwards, Chairman of the Coffee Exporters Council.
“Improving the export process will allow us to broaden our markets. More people will get to enjoy Papua New Guinea coffee and the coffee producers will benefit as a result.”
About IFC
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is the largest global development institution focused exclusively on the private sector.
Working with private enterprises in more than 100 countries, we use our capital, expertise, and influence to help eliminate extreme poverty and promote shared prosperity.
In FY13, our investments climbed to an all-time high of nearly $25 billion, leveraging the power of the private sector to create jobs and tackle the world’s most pressing development challenges.
For more information, visit www.ifc.org.
