Cocoa farmers from across the autonomous Papua New Guinea region of Bougainville are gearing up for the region's annual chocolate festival later this week.
A sack of cocoa beans that was sailed to New Zealand from Bougainville by the Wellington Chocolate Factory. Photo: RNZ/ Koroi Hawkins
The organisers said there will be a lot of focus on the chocolate competition, during which beans are processed into chocolate and then judged by an international panel.
More than 70 growers submitted beans with two thirds of them qualifying for their cocoa to be made into chocolate.
Last year five Bougainvillean cocoa growers won gold medals, which is considered certification of having reached international standard.
The festival, which takes place on August 7th and 8th, is also seen as an opportunity for farmers to meet and discuss issues as they strive to improve quality.