The UK government has supported 17 cocoa buyers to visit Solomon Islands to increase cocoa exports to the UK.

Supporting the cocoa trade between Solomon Islands and the UK is a win-win, driving growth and increasing incomes for Solomon Islands farmers whilst giving UK consumers access to the best quality Solomon cocoa.

The delegation arrived in the country on 20 September, to build partnerships and gain a deeper understanding of the cocoa market and cocoa farmers across the country.

Highlights from the mission included visiting Pilapaso Cocoa plantation and micro chocolate factories, Amazing Grace on Guadalcanal where they witnessed first-hand the harvesting and fermentation processes conducted by the farm owners, and two days in Malaita province where they visited cocoa farms across the northern region.

The UK cocoa buyers also worked with Solomon processors, visiting Cathliro’s café, processing and chocolate making facilities and the Kokonut Pacific Solomon Islands’ (KPSI) shop, coconut oil and cocoa processing and chocolate making facility in East Honiara.

Their mission concluded with a regional cocoa workshop held at the Heritage Park Hotel at which cocoa producers and exporters from across the Pacific attended and discussed market requirements and sourcing opportunities.

Under the UK-Pacific Economic Partnership Agreement that started in January 2021 goods from the Pacific can enter the UK market duty-free and quota-free.

Thanks to the deal, high-end UK chocolatiers are turning to Solomon Islands for their cocoa: boosting Solomon exports and incomes, whilst bringing quality products to the UK market.