Papua New Guinea-based coffee bean exporter, Elijah Harro of Alpha Coffee Collective will highlight the unique flavours of Papua New Guinean coffee at this year’s Melbourne International Coffee Expo (MICE).
MICE is the region’s largest dedicated coffee event, held from 27 to 30 September 2022. As part of Pacific Trade Invest (PTI) Australia’s inaugural ‘Pacific Showcase’ stand, Alpha Coffee will showcase its single origin organic Arabica, comprising of a mix of the Arusha, Typica, and PNG Blue Mountain varieties, all of which typically score between 85 and 89 points on the Q-coffee system developed to grade speciality coffee.
“As a farmer collective with members in the Eastern Highlands’ Goroka Valley, Alpha Coffee illustrates the premium quality of products coming out of the Pacific region. For our Pacific coffee growers like Alpha Coffee, the exhibition presents a great opportunity to engage with buyers in a one-on-one environment, allowing them to really share the story behind their beans and gain access into the Australian market,” says Jeremy Grennell, PTI Australia’s General Manager of Exports.
This will be the first year PTI Australia has facilitated the Pacific Showcase stand at MICE, stand #257.
Gina Di Brita of Numero Uno Coffee Roasters will be on stand to share her passion for championing and building relationships with smallholder farmers in Papua New Guinea.
“I look forward to working with, and supporting, Alpha Coffee at this year’s Melbourne International Coffee Expo as the event presents a timely opportunity for us to encourage consumers to take up the challenge of making a difference in the greater Pacific region, whether through the purchase of an environmentally friendly product, or through the forging of connections with coffee buyers throughout Australia,” Gina says.
Alpha Coffee is part of a collective of farmers from Eastern Highlands Province in Papua New Guinea. Most of its farmers are smallholder farmers who use traditional methods to cultivate high grade coffee in what is widely considered to be the perfect growing temperature and humidity, in a pesticide free environment.
“Many of our farmers here in PNG work with the PNG Small Holder Speciality Coffee Association (PNGSCA) to consolidate their coffee, allowing them to save on the cost of freight. Through this practice of direct export, farmers are able to derive a higher income than they would otherwise,” Elijah says.
“Our farmers and their families depend entirely on coffee production for their future. It is through this income stream that families are empowered to meet educational needs, raise living standards and develop improved horticultural and farming practices.
“The increased income that farmers derive through sales of their beans to Alpha Coffee and PNGCSA goes directly back to the development of the people and their communities. This income improves lives while also encouraging sustainable development within the community. In this part of the world, coffee supports everyone.”
PTI Australia is an agency of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat. Funded by the Australian Government, it facilitates trade and investment in the Pacific Islands.
For more information, visit the Alpha Coffee Collective website.
