Coffee Berry Borer Spreads Across Papua New Guinea – CoffeeTalk

The Coffee Berry Borer (CBB) is causing significant damage to coffee production and exports in Morobe and Madang, according to the Highlands Farmers & Settlers Association Inc. President Wilson Thomson warns that the disease will spread throughout the country. The National Research Institute (NRI) has confirmed that the berry borer has reached Morobe by 2022, and concerns have been raised about red ants in Bulolo District, making it difficult for farmers to pick or deal with coffee trees without being attacked.

The Coffee Berry Borer was detected in 2017 in Mt Hagen and has since spread through awareness and containment strategies through the Coffee Industry Corporation and NAQIA. Trials on 100 kg cherry coffee showed that the borer can survive in infested beans if parchment or dried coffee is held and not dried to 11-15 percent moisture content. Smallholders are the biggest losers when their coffee becomes floater and half the bean is eaten or destroyed. Exporters are also facing rejection of their green beans if more defects are found.

The coffee production and exports for the country are affected, but the income for farmers is reduced by 40 to 50%. The Highlands Farmers & Settlers Association Inc. is monitoring the disease’s progress as it moves through PNG.

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