PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Highland Organic Agriculture Cooperative (HOAC)

Country: Papua New Guinea
Number of Members: 2080
Product: World Blend Beans & Ground
Flavour Profile: Medium body with flavours of dark chocolate and a nutty, smooth finish


The Highland Organic Agriculture Cooperative (HOAC) is located in the remote Okapa region of Papua New Guinea. The region hosts ideal conditions for high quality coffee with approximately 80% of the country’s coffee coming from this region.

Coffee provides the majority of income for rural families in Okapa. There are no other major industries in this isolated area so unemployment is high, infrastructure is poor and literacy rates are low. Farmers contend with a rugged mountain terrain and a 5-10 hour trip to the nearest market town.

Being part of the Fairtrade system is improving the quality of coffee and improving the lives of the farmers and their families.

Since becoming certified in 2005, HOAC have used the Fairtrade Premium to

  • Purchase pulping machinery to increase production efficiency

  • Provide access to clean water

  • Fund the construction of school buildings

  • Supply iron roofing to improve housing quality

Who knew a cup of Oxfam fair World Blend coffee could be so empowering! 

PNG map(Image via Google maps)

Cherries branch mountain(Image via Pixabay)