Coffee Production

A Land of Diversity

Papua New Guinea

Located in the Pacific just north of Australia, Papua New Guinea is an island of breathtaking scenery and vibrant culture. Its tropical location and varied topography support unique plant and animal species found nowhere else on Earth. Amidst this rich biodiversity thrives an equally amazing and colorful diversity of human cultures. Nestled within the mountains that form the island’s spine, thousands of village farmers cultivate the land, with coffee growing serving as their lifeblood.

Supporting Livelihoods

Vital to the Economy

Coffee stands as the primary cash crop in the highlands of Papua New Guinea. More than 2 million people—roughly 40% of the nation’s population—rely directly or indirectly on coffee earnings to sustain their livelihoods. This income is essential for covering household expenses, paying school fees, purchasing clothing and medicine, and fulfilling important cultural obligations.

A Special Harvest

A Rare & Certified Brew

The concept of organic coffee was first introduced to Papua New Guinea in 1991, and today, certified organic production remains exclusive to just three areas. Over the past five years, an average of 2,000 tons of certified organic coffee has been exported annually—representing only about 0.5% of the country’s total coffee output. This scarcity makes PNG organic coffee a truly special commodity for both producers and consumers alike.

The Journey to Market

Overcoming Access Challenges

Due to the remoteness of these villages, transporting coffee is a major challenge. Beans must either be flown out from grass landing strips or trucked to the nearest town over roads that are often in terrible condition—rough enough to break a tractor’s axle. To address this, Coffee Connections has initiated a road improvement program, helping growers reliably get their harvest to market.