New era for cocoa sector
10 Apr 2026
The Cocoa Board of Papua New Guinea (CCB) has officially launched its Corporate Plan 2026–2028, setting a clear strategic direction to empower farmers, advance research, strengthen institutions, and build a prosperous, inclusive and sustainable cocoa industry for Papua New Guinea.
The plan was launched on the 10th of April, in Kokopo, East New Britain, by Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, John Boito, who said the three year roadmap is strongly aligned with the National Agriculture Sector Plan (NASP 2024–2033), PNG Medium Term Development Plan (MTDP IV 2023–2027), and the National Agriculture Corporate Plan (NACP 2024–2028).
Minister Boito highlighted that the Corporate Plan outlines six key strategic priority areas, including:
• Achieving 80,000 tonnes of cocoa production by 2028 • Reviving and strengthening cocoa research • Ensuring compliance with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) • Advancing Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) commitments • Aligning industry efforts with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) • Strengthening institutional capacity
He emphasized that the plan has been designed to be dynamic and adaptive, enabling the Cocoa Board to respond to emerging trends and challenges in the global cocoa market, including new regulatory requirements such as the EUDR and changing global sustainability expectations.
“I commend the Cocoa Board chairman, the CEO and the entire team for their dedication in putting together this Corporate Plan. This is a success. Now, let us all turn this plan into action,” Minister Boito said. The Minister stressed that the Corporate Plan is a strategic document of paramount importance, serving as the guiding framework that directs the organisation’s efforts towards achieving its mission and vision.
He reaffirmed the Marape–Rosso Government’s commitment to agriculture as a key driver of economic growth, noting that cocoa remains one of Papua New Guinea’s most important growth commodities.
The Cocoa Board, he said, has made significant strides in increasing cocoa production, developing strategies to combat Cocoa Pod Borer (CPB), promoting downstream processing, and encouraging value addition across the industry.
“I call on all partners, stakeholders, industry players and all levels of government to work closely with the Cocoa Board to increase production and improve quality, explore value added activities and support our farmers. Government will provide the enabling environment, but together we must deliver,” he said. “Let us make Papua New Guinea a winning cocoa producer in the world.”
Minister Boito further challenged industry partners to place greater emphasis on practical engagement at farm level and lead by example.
“Let us work this plan. Let us show our farmers that these plans work. Let cocoa become a game changer in our households,” he said. Also speaking at the ceremony, Chairman of the Cocoa Board of PNG, John Kassman, said the Corporate Plan comes at a significant time for the country’s cocoa sector.
Mr Kassman said the industry’s achievements reflect the dedication of smallholder farmers across cocoa growing regions, the efficiency of exporters, and the commitment of partners invested in the sector. He said the outcomes over the coming years will be shaped by the decisions and investments made collectively today. “The Cocoa Board of PNG is committed to providing leadership, research, a strong regulatory framework and market development to support this industry and the rural communities that depend on it,” Mr Kassman said.
As one of the key project implemented by the Cocoa Board, PACD Cocoa was represented at this momentous occasion, with the Project Manager invited alongside representative among other government departments.
The launch ceremony was witnessed by cocoa exporters from East New Britain, the Governor of East New Britain Province, the Member for Kokopo, representatives from the East New Britain Provincial Administration, PACD Cocoa PMU, the Department of Planning, the Department of Personnel Management, and other key agriculture stakeholders.
The plan was launched on the 10th of April, in Kokopo, East New Britain, by Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, John Boito, who said the three year roadmap is strongly aligned with the National Agriculture Sector Plan (NASP 2024–2033), PNG Medium Term Development Plan (MTDP IV 2023–2027), and the National Agriculture Corporate Plan (NACP 2024–2028).
Minister Boito highlighted that the Corporate Plan outlines six key strategic priority areas, including:
• Achieving 80,000 tonnes of cocoa production by 2028 • Reviving and strengthening cocoa research • Ensuring compliance with the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) • Advancing Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) commitments • Aligning industry efforts with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) • Strengthening institutional capacity
He emphasized that the plan has been designed to be dynamic and adaptive, enabling the Cocoa Board to respond to emerging trends and challenges in the global cocoa market, including new regulatory requirements such as the EUDR and changing global sustainability expectations.
“I commend the Cocoa Board chairman, the CEO and the entire team for their dedication in putting together this Corporate Plan. This is a success. Now, let us all turn this plan into action,” Minister Boito said. The Minister stressed that the Corporate Plan is a strategic document of paramount importance, serving as the guiding framework that directs the organisation’s efforts towards achieving its mission and vision.
He reaffirmed the Marape–Rosso Government’s commitment to agriculture as a key driver of economic growth, noting that cocoa remains one of Papua New Guinea’s most important growth commodities.
The Cocoa Board, he said, has made significant strides in increasing cocoa production, developing strategies to combat Cocoa Pod Borer (CPB), promoting downstream processing, and encouraging value addition across the industry.
“I call on all partners, stakeholders, industry players and all levels of government to work closely with the Cocoa Board to increase production and improve quality, explore value added activities and support our farmers. Government will provide the enabling environment, but together we must deliver,” he said. “Let us make Papua New Guinea a winning cocoa producer in the world.”
Minister Boito further challenged industry partners to place greater emphasis on practical engagement at farm level and lead by example.
“Let us work this plan. Let us show our farmers that these plans work. Let cocoa become a game changer in our households,” he said. Also speaking at the ceremony, Chairman of the Cocoa Board of PNG, John Kassman, said the Corporate Plan comes at a significant time for the country’s cocoa sector.
Mr Kassman said the industry’s achievements reflect the dedication of smallholder farmers across cocoa growing regions, the efficiency of exporters, and the commitment of partners invested in the sector. He said the outcomes over the coming years will be shaped by the decisions and investments made collectively today. “The Cocoa Board of PNG is committed to providing leadership, research, a strong regulatory framework and market development to support this industry and the rural communities that depend on it,” Mr Kassman said.
As one of the key project implemented by the Cocoa Board, PACD Cocoa was represented at this momentous occasion, with the Project Manager invited alongside representative among other government departments.
The launch ceremony was witnessed by cocoa exporters from East New Britain, the Governor of East New Britain Province, the Member for Kokopo, representatives from the East New Britain Provincial Administration, PACD Cocoa PMU, the Department of Planning, the Department of Personnel Management, and other key agriculture stakeholders.
