Coffee and chocolate products from five Pacific countries will be showcased this weekend on Auckland's waterfront at the fourth Chocolate and Coffee Show.
Photo: RNZI/ Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia
Tonga's Tupu'anga Coffee, Solomons Gold, Paradise Foods from Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu's Tanna Coffee were selected by the trade promotion organisation Pacific Trade and Invest to participate in this weekend's event.
Wilex Samoa's chocolate product Koko Loa will also feature in the show.
Wilex managing director Tautaituasivi Tagaloa Eddie Wilson said his focus was not getting the product onto supermarket shelves, but into cafe chains.
"Koko Loa is one of those products that had been recommended by New Zealand Pacific Trade and Invest and it's ideal for the cafe coffee market, which is one of our main clienteles," he said.
"The dark chocolates go well with coffee, and also our cocoa powder goes well with making the cappuccinos."
The featured companies are part of PTI NZ's Pacific Path to Market programme, which is designed to help exporters from the Pacific Islands gain a better understanding of the New Zealand market.
A specially designed Pacific-themed stand titled the 'Pacific Hub' will house the Pacific companies and their products for the two-day show, on September 23 and 24 at The Cloud on Quay Street.
PTI NZ Trade development manager Joe Fuavao, says most of the companies participated in the Auckland Food Show in July however their presence at the Chocolate and Coffee Show targets a specific product sector and audience and is another good opportunity for the Pacific companies to build their profile and presence in the New Zealand market.
Organisers are expecting more than 8000 passionate foodies to visit the show over Saturday and Sunday.
Earlier this year, PTI NZ featured Pacific Island exporters with 24 stands at the Pasifika festival, nine at the Auckland Food Show and four at the Auckland Spring Home and Gift Fair in August - all as part of the Path to Market programme.
