PM hails historic Morobe Coffee Export to Dubai as Golden Jubilee Milestone for PNG Agriculture

Prime Minister James Marape today declared the inaugural air shipment of Morobe-grown coffee to Dubai a “monumental breakthrough” for Papua New Guinea’s agricultural exports.

He hailed the export as a significant step towards unlocking the full economic potential of rural communities and a testament to the government’s commitment to commercialising agriculture, further marking it as a profound gift to the nation during its 50th year of independence.

Speaking in Port Moresby at the official departure ceremony, Prime Minister Marape emphasized the broader message behind the shipment.

“Today, we are not just sending coffee to the world — we are sending a message: Papua New Guinea is ready to compete in global markets with the best of what our people grow,” he stated.

He elaborated, “This airfreight shipment of premium Morobe coffee to Dubai is not merely a trade transaction. It is a symbol of our farmers’ resilience, our land’s richness, and our government’s ambition to transform agriculture into a powerful engine of economic growth.”

The historic shipment, spearheaded by local agribusiness AFIA PNG, comprised an initial 30 bags of specialty Morobe coffee, with an additional 91 bags slated for subsequent deliveries. The consignment was airfreighted directly from Port Moresby to Dubai, underscoring PNG’s increasing capability in airfreight logistics to meet international demand.

“This is history in motion,” the Prime Minister affirmed, commending AFIA PNG and the Morobe Provincial Government for their “visionary leadership.”

He added, “This is what it means to take back PNG — by empowering our people, our products, and our provinces.”

Prime Minister Marape highlighted that the Government’s focus, as outlined in the National Agriculture Sector Plan (NASP 2024–2033), is to actively support such models of innovation and export-led growth. He affirmed the government’s intention to replicate the AFIA approach across all agricultural regions.

“Let me be clear — what AFIA PNG has achieved must not remain an isolated success,” Prime Minister Marape stressed. “My government will work to expand this model to other provinces. We want to see vanilla in East Sepik, cocoa in East New Britain, oil palm in Oro, rice in Central, and fisheries in Manus and Milne Bay reach global markets with the same success.”

He noted that PNG’s burgeoning agricultural exports are being bolstered by significant infrastructure investments nationwide, including new and upgraded roads, bridges, ports, and airports. “For instance, this coffee is utilising a brand-new airport facility,” the Prime Minister explained, adding, “We are restoring our Air Niugini fleet, and by September this year, we should have new aircraft that will not only serve domestic destinations, but also connect Papua New Guinea to international markets.”

“Our investments in infrastructure — roads, ports, bridges, airports — must be complemented by our people producing goods for markets both near and far,” he said.

“Our chocolate, our cocoa, continues to maintain markets in Europe, and our oil palm is sustaining its place in international trade. This export to Dubai is a strong signal that we are heading in the right direction.”

Prime Minister Marape underscored the interconnectedness of the Government’s development priorities, with parallel investments in electricity, ICT connectivity, and logistics aimed at boosting productivity and supporting exports.

“Exporting overseas will ensure remittances flow back into our country. We want to fix what I consider a weakness — exporters not bringing the remittance earnings back into Papua New Guinea. Kina must find its rightful place in the global market. Bringing export earnings in foreign currencies back into Kina will boost its value,” he explained.

He affirmed the Government’s concerted efforts to assist people in producing and selling to overseas markets, ensuring these transactions benefit the broader economy. “We are serious about creating wealth from our land and seas — and putting it directly into the hands of our people.”

The Prime Minister also noted that the shipment sends a powerful signal to international buyers and investors regarding the quality, ethics, and distinctiveness of Papua New Guinea’s agricultural products. “In an era where the world demands traceability, ethical sourcing, and environmental responsibility, PNG stands out — not only for the uniqueness of our crops, but also the integrity of our communities,” he said.

Prime Minister Marape concluded by declaring the Dubai shipment as one of the most meaningful developments of PNG’s Golden Jubilee. “As we celebrate 50 years of independence, this coffee export represents the new direction of our country. We are no longer just a resource economy — we are now a producer, exporter, and competitor in value-added agriculture,” he stated.

He extended his gratitude, saying, “To AFIA PNG and the people of Morobe: thank you for giving Papua New Guinea a gift of pride and purpose. The world now awaits our harvest.”

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