What an extraordinary three days it was at the Bougainville Chocolate Festival! Queen Emma Chocolate was proud to be on location in Arawa from September 25th to 27th, joining hundreds of people from across the cocoa value chain. The festival brought together cocoa farmers, local chocolate makers, agriculture specialists, economists, transport providers, innovators, SMEs, and of course, chocolate lovers.

A highlight of the event was the chocolate competition, which saw 147 farmers from across Bougainville submit their cocoa bean samples. Of these, 47 advanced to the final tasting round, judged by a panel of three local and two international experts. The competition culminated in the awarding of seven top prizes: one Gold, two Silver, four Bronze, and a People’s Choice award. The Gold winner received a brand-new Solar Dryer and Fermentry—highly coveted prizes aimed at improving bean quality and expanding production.

Throughout the festival, seminars were held to address quality issues and the effects of global price increases. Queen Emma Chocolate’s General Manager, Karina Makori, serving as a judge, had the opportunity to speak to farmers about the importance of high-quality production and to demonstrate how farmers can use their own cacao beans to make chocolate in their kitchens.

Beyond cocoa, the festival also showcased other agricultural products like coconut, rice, cassava, coffee, and spices, highlighting the innovation and potential of locally grown produce.

The festival ended with the vibrant Youth Voice Explosion competition, featuring local music talent, and a spirited High School Debate competition.

As a proud producer of local chocolates using Bougainville cocoa beans, Queen Emma Chocolate remains committed to supporting the cocoa industry and adding value to the agricultural sector in Papua New Guinea.