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Papua New Guinea Coffee Regions, Coffee Varieties, and Paradise Bird Coffee Introduction

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee

Last Updated: 2026/01/27, Papua New Guinea is located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It borders Indonesia's Papua Province to the west and faces Australia across the Torres Strait to the south. It is also an archipelagic country with more than 600 islands throughout its territory. Areas above 1,000 meters elevation in Papua New Guinea have a mountain climate, while the rest has a tropical climate.

Papua New Guinea is located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It borders Indonesia's Papua Province to the west and is separated from Australia by the Torres Strait to the south. It is also an archipelagic country with more than 600 islands throughout its territory.

Areas of Papua New Guinea above 1000 meters in elevation have a highland climate, while the rest has a tropical climate. May to October is the dry season, and November to April is the rainy season. The average annual temperature in coastal areas ranges from 21-32°C, while mountainous regions are 5-6°C cooler. The average annual rainfall is 2500 millimeters.

History of Coffee Cultivation

Coffee cultivation began as early as the 1890s, but it was not initially considered a commercial product. By 1926, 18 coffee estates had been established, using seeds from Jamaica's Blue Mountain coffee. These seeds adapted well to the environment after introduction, earning Papua New Guinea the nickname 'Little Blue Mountain.' It wasn't until 1928 that the coffee industry began to flourish. In the 1950s, the coffee industry experienced structural growth with the construction of more basic infrastructure. Another significant development occurred in the 1970s when, due to declining coffee production in Brazil, the government provided a series of programs encouraging small farms to convert to cooperative operations. By the 1980s, the industry structure began to change and focus became more diversified. After experiencing coffee price declines, many estates faced financial crises. In contrast, small farmers were less affected by market fluctuations and were able to continue coffee production. Today, 95% of producers in the country are small farmers, producing 95% of the nation's coffee, all of which are Arabica varieties.

Most of Papua New Guinea's coffee beans are produced in the highland provinces, although coffee is grown in other regions as well but in smaller quantities. The main varieties cultivated are Bourbon and Typica, with the harvest period from April to September.

Coffee Growing Regions

Eastern Highlands Province

The Eastern Highlands Province is the second-largest coffee-producing province in Papua New Guinea, located in the central part of the country. The island features a mountain range that spans the entire region, and the Eastern Highlands is part of this range. Coffee is cultivated at elevations between 400-1900 meters.

Western Highlands Province

This is the main and largest coffee-producing province in the country, with coffee cultivation around the provincial capital Mount Hagen. The city name originates from an ancient dormant volcano. The elevation here ranges from 1000-1800 meters. FrontStreet Coffee currently sources its Paradise Bird Estate coffee beans from this region, which are of the Typica variety, processed using the washed method, featuring caramel, cocoa, and almond flavors with a balanced and silky mouthfeel.

Jiwaka

Jiwaka is located in central Papua New Guinea, with the Waghi River flowing through its main valleys, flanked by steep volcanoes and ridges. The elevation ranges from 1400-2000 meters, where Typica, Bourbon, and Mundo Novo varieties are primarily cultivated.

Simbu Province

Simbu Province is a mountainous inland province with relatively low production, accounting for only 7% of the country's coffee production. The elevation here ranges from 1300-1900 meters.