OUR LAND. OUR PEOPLE. OUR POSSIBILITY.
A remarkable tree. An extraordinary country.
Discover the people and possibilities of Papua New Guinea’s coconut industry.
MORE THAN A CROP
Coconut is woven into the life of Papua New Guinea — from food and family livelihoods to the enterprises connecting our islands with the world.
Here, we bring the sector into focus: the growers behind the harvest, the businesses adding value, and the research shaping what comes next.
Meet the people behind the palmsSector snapshot · Source: Kokonas Indastri Koporesen (KIK), 2024 Census and Survey. “Figures supplied by Project Management Unit, KIK.” Read KIK’s figures
THE NEXT CHAPTER
The PNG Sun reports a shift towards domestic processing, led by Kokonas Indastri Koporesen (KIK) managing director Allan Aku. Virgin coconut oil, soaps and body oils are part of that transition.
Reported 2022–2025 output includes 449 tonnes of virgin coconut oil. Shell-based activated carbon and husk products offer further possibilities, alongside replanting and research.
Read the industry outlookReporting: Athurson Olua / The PNG Sun · 2 July 2026FROM THE GROUND UP
Independent reporting and first-hand perspectives
from across the coconut sector.
COMMUNITY · COOL EARTHCool Earth describes a regeneration programme connecting 40 growers and their families with renewed opportunities.
Read the story
SUPPLY CHAINS · HONEST TO GOODNESSA supplier’s perspective on sourcing coconut products from Papua New Guinea.
Explore the sourcing story
REPLANTING · KIKKIK’s rehabilitation programme connects communities with nurseries, seedlings and practical growing knowledge.
Explore the programmeLandscape photographs in the Wabumari and replanting cards are contextual PNG imagery, not photographs of the featured projects. Full credits below.
MANY PLACES. ONE EXTRAORDINARY INDUSTRY.
From Misima’s research nursery to island enterprises.
Discover the people and places behind PNG coconut.
At Kelababala, KIK reported opening a pre-entry quarantine nursery to safeguard coconut planting material for the South Pacific genebank. This archive story places Misima within an international conservation effort.
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Cool Earth describes how project manager Daisy Halaba helped a Wabumari group learn coconut-oil production, alongside savings, loans and finding buyers. A community story about turning local knowledge into opportunity.
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NBC reported progress on the Punipuni International Coconut Genebank project, with cooperative participation and site works under way. The report describes a project in development, not a completed facility.
Read the original storyThe National named Isles Organics Coconut Products and Services among the businesses supported through KIK’s diversification work. A starting point for discovering Milne Bay’s coconut enterprises.
Read the original storyThe National profiled Oshin Organics of Kavieng as a producer of coconut beauty products for domestic and Australian markets. This is a dated report; current supply arrangements need direct confirmation.
Read the original storyThe National highlighted Niugini Organics in Kerevat and Maku Gifts in Kokopo, whose shell jewellery and handicrafts show another side of coconut value addition.
Read the original storyReporting by James G Kila tells how Karawap Development Corporation began reviving a plantation after decades without commercial production. An archive story of local initiative and rehabilitation.
Read the original storyThe National identified Kumul Organics as a Madang producer of virgin coconut oil and infused oils. Explore the enterprise within a wider account of PNG’s emerging coconut businesses.
Read the original storyThese are source-linked editorial summaries, not endorsements or a verified supplier directory. Archive stories describe their publication period. Current project status and producer availability should be confirmed directly. Contextual images are labelled and do not depict the named enterprise.
KARKAR ISLAND · MADANG
Look beyond the commodity.
See the country, the communities and the possibilities.
ONE COCONUT. MANY PATHWAYS.
Explore established products and emerging uses.
Availability and specifications depend on each producer.
Virgin coconut oil and white copra are established parts of PNG’s value-added story. Milk and water are among the opportunities identified for further processing.
Coconut soaps, body oils and hair-care products create space for Papua New Guinean enterprise and distinctive local brands.
Shell charcoal, activated carbon, coir and coco peat offer pathways to make more use of the harvest. Commercial readiness must be assessed project by project.
Sources: KIK agribusiness and The PNG Sun, July 2026. Product pathways are not offers of supply or investment returns.
Start with grower relationships and landowner agreement. Then verify raw-material supply, processing quality, certification, power, transport and market demand. A larger planted area does not automatically mean export-ready product.
WATCH & DISCOVER
Go beyond the headlines.
Meet the industry on screen.
Explore KIK’s research, farmer training and industry resources, alongside reporting from PNG and the Pacific.
Visit KIK’s official resourcesExplore FAO’s PNG filmsKNOW THE SECTOR
PNG’s statutory coconut industry institution. Start here for regulation, research, training and industry services.
Official institutionExplore KIK’s work on product quality, farmer groups and downstream processing.
Primary sourceThe International Coconut Community reports on PNG’s May 2026 technical visit to Indonesia.
International Coconut CommunityLET’S GROW THE CONNECTION
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PNG Coconut is an independent sector showcase. Referenced organisations are not presented as partners or endorsers.