Papua New Guinea Coffee at MICE 2026
Image: Property of UKTP
Papua New Guinea (PNG) will returned to MICE 2026 with an expanded presence, inviting Australia’s coffee community to rediscover one of the Pacific’s most distinctive and rewarding coffee origins.
Grown in rugged highland terrain, PNG coffee is shaped by altitude, fertile volcanic soils and generations of farming knowledge. These natural conditions support quality Arabica varietals such as Bourbon, Typica (Blue Mountain), Arusha and Mundo Nova, producing coffees known for their flavour profiles ranging from citrus and stone fruit through to cocoa, spice and florals. This combination of quality, character and proximity makes PNG a compelling origin for the Australian coffee industry to explore more deeply.
Meet the Exporters Behind the Coffee
At the heart of the PNG activation at MICE 2026 were 13 participating exporters, representing a range of producing regions and supply chains across the country.
It was a unique opportunity for buyers to connect directly with exporters and experience their coffees. Whether sourcing regional lots, exploring new supply relationships, or simply learning more about the origin, visitors were able to have meaningful conversations with the people actively shaping PNG’s coffee sector.
Taste PNG Coffee Across Brewing Styles
Throughout the show, the PNG booth featured a full-service specialty coffee bar designed to showcase how these coffees perform across different brewing methods.
Visitors experienced PNG coffees as silky flat whites, balanced espressos, and expressive filter brews, highlighting both their versatility and distinctive flavour profiles. For baristas, it was an opportunity to explore how PNG coffees behave on the bar, while roasters could better understand the potential for their coffee programs.
Dive Deeper with Guided Cuppings
Alongside the coffee bar, the booth hosted an active cupping schedule designed for more in-depth exploration of the origin.
The sessions offered the chance to taste coffees from different regions, compare profiles, and better understand the factors shaping PNG coffee – from varietals and growing conditions to processing approaches and supply chain structures – all presented by the exporters offering them.
For buyers and roasters, the cupping sessions provided a space to discuss sourcing possibilities and quality expectations directly with exporters.
An Opportunity for an Origin Update
Tasted some PNG coffees but weren’t across what was happening on the ground? This was an opportunity to hear the latest. Attendees visited the Trip to Origin stage on Friday 27 March to hear from PNG supply chain consultant Jon Edwards, CIC Senior Quality Control Officer Rose Romalus, and Emma Wakpi, General Manager of Jiwaka Coffee.
The session explored PNG’s producing regions, developments in processing, changes to the export grading system, and opportunities for Australian green coffee buyers to connect with exporters.
Explore the Diversity of PNG Coffee
Coffee remains a vital industry for Papua New Guinea, supporting millions of livelihoods across rural communities. As the sector continues to evolve, the connections between PNG producers and Australian coffee businesses are becoming increasingly important.
MICE 2026 offers the perfect opportunity to explore these coffees, meet the exporters behind them, and discover the diversity that PNG has to offer.
PNG Coffee at MICE 2026 is a joint initiative of the United Kingdom Trade Partnerships Programme (UKTP) and the PNG-Australia Partnership.
UKTP is implemented by the International Trade Centre and funded by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
