Chairman’s Welcome

Welcome to Kokonas Indastri Koporesen (tok pisin version of coconut industry corporation) the official gateway to the Papua New Guinea Coconut Industry.

The coconut industry is the fourth most significant agriculture cash crop in terms of its economic importance to PNG. According to the most recent national census figures, a total of 464,328 households (35% of the total households in PNG or an estimated 2.6 million people) are engaged in coconut activities in PNG to either generate income and/or as food to supplement their livelihoods. From this sum, 134,655 (29%) were engaged in cash generating activities whilst 329,673 (71%) were engaged for their own use. The latter reflects the importance of the coconut as a food item throughout the country, from the coastal regions where it is predominantly grown to the highlands of PNG where it has become an important food item in the daily diets. On average, the industry contributes over K126.5 million per year to the PNG economy through the export revenue it generates. The KIK estimates that over 70% of this is usually transmitted directly to copra producers.

The coconut industry played a significant part in the colonial days and in the lead up to independence in terms of its contribution to the national economy in generating revenue and providing employment for a colony contemplating self-government and eventual independence. As other cash crops grew in economic importance and the mineral sector boomed the coconut industry has been displaced in economic importance but has maintained its social importance as a ‘must use’ ingredient in every PNG families’ food preparation and will remain so for many years to come.

But in recent years, a growing shift from dried and smoked copra to high value coconut products, has brought in a new lease of life and a new range of products potential as well as emerging markets.But in recent years, a growing shift from dried and smoked copra to high value coconut products, has brought in a new lease of life and a new range of products potential as well as emerging markets.

Many small and medium enterprises are taking this opportunities to explore and specialize in virgin coconut oil production and use this as a base for soap production, deodorant and even launch into coconut biofuels.Many small and medium enterprises are taking this opportunities to explore and specialize in virgin coconut oil production and use this as a base for soap production, deodorant and even launch into coconut biofuels.

This commercialization of more high value coconut products are running parallel with National Government initiatives aimed at streamlining research and development to augment this focus.This commercialization of more high value coconut products are running parallel with National Government initiatives aimed at streamlining research and development to augment this focus.

With this emphasis, the coconut industry potential remains high, and is only limited by innovation initiatives and strategic investments which are very welcome.With this emphasis, the coconut industry potential remains high, and is only limited by innovation initiatives and strategic investments which are very welcome.

It is our intention to make coconut known as the proverbial tree of life for its multiple users not only an enduring important food security and nutrition product but also as a tree of wealth creation for Papua New Guineans and our valued development partners and investors.It is our intention to make coconut known as the proverbial tree of life for its multiple users not only an enduring important food security and nutrition product but also as a tree of wealth creation for Papua New Guineans and our valued development partners and investors.

Mr Kili Tambua

Chairman – KIK

March 2017