The aroma of freshly roasted coffee wafts through the humid air of Jayapura as hundreds of visitors gather at the courtyard of Bank Indonesia’s wilayah Papua (Central Bank of Indonesia of Papua’s region). Tents line the grounds, decorated with woven fabrics, traditional carvings, and steaming cups of coffee from across the island. Some stalls proudly display beans from the misty peaks of the Central Highlands, while others showcase coastal roasteries experimenting with new blends. It is here, in this vibrant setting, that the eight years of Festival Kopi Papua (Papua Coffee Festival or FesKop) unfolds—a cultural and economic milestone that symbolizes the province’s ambition to transform its coffee into a global export commodity.
This year’s festival is not just another celebration. Marking eight years of FesKop since its birth in 2018, the 2025 edition carries the theme “Dari Gunung, Lembah, Pantai, Hingga Pasar Global”—From Mountains, Valleys, and Coasts to the Global Market. The words capture both geography and vision. They acknowledge the diverse terrain where Papua coffee is cultivated and processed, while boldly projecting the future—Papua beans standing shoulder to shoulder with the world’s finest.
A Festival With a Mission
Since its inception, FesKop has been more than a celebration of taste. It has been a carefully designed platform, orchestrated by Bank Indonesia (BI) Papua in close collaboration with the Provincial Government of Papua, to build an entire coffee ecosystem.
In this year’s edition, BI involved 21 coffee entrepreneurs and cooperatives from across Papua, ranging from micro and small enterprises to established roasteries. These participants were not just vendors at a festival; they represented the living fabric of Papua’s coffee industry—farmers from the highlands of Jayawijaya and Pegunungan Bintang, processors in Yahukimo, and café owners in Jayapura City. By bringing them together, the festival became a marketplace, a training ground, and a networking hub.
Faturachman, the Head of BI Papua, emphasized that the event is grounded in principles of sustainability, inclusivity, and balanced economic growth. “Papua’s coffee is not just a product. It is a livelihood for tens of thousands of people. Through this festival, we ensure that development touches both upstream farmers and downstream businesses,” he explained during the opening ceremony.
Coffee as a Lifeline of the Local Economy
The statistics tell a powerful story. Coffee is deeply embedded in Papua’s economy:
- Daily consumption in Jayapura alone reaches 18,000 cups. With an average price of Rp10,000 per cup (around USD 0.65), this creates a daily turnover of Rp180 million. That means billions of rupiah circulate every month from coffee trade in just one city.
- The upstream sector employs more than 22,000 farmers across Papua’s districts, while the downstream café and roasting sector supports over 1,000 jobs.
- Coffee’s value chain touches everything: agriculture, logistics, packaging, retail, and tourism.
For many smallholder farmers in the highlands, coffee is the only reliable cash crop. In districts where transportation is difficult and markets are limited, beans harvested from mountain slopes become tickets to school fees, healthcare, and household stability.
The Road to Export: From Jayapura to Japan and the Netherlands
For years, Papua coffee was mostly consumed locally or sold in domestic markets like Jakarta, Surabaya, and Bali. But the vision has always been global.
In October 2024, a milestone was achieved: 1.2 tons of processed Papua coffee, prepared by the cooperative Koperasi Emas Hijau Papua, were exported to Japan and the Netherlands. This was not just a transaction—it was proof of concept. It showed that with proper processing, quality control, and branding, Papua beans could meet international standards and find buyers overseas.
That shipment was the fruit of years of preparation. Bank Indonesia had facilitated sensory bootcamps, where farmers and processors learned to identify flavours, measure acidity, and ensure consistency. Cooperatives were trained in Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and post-harvest methods. Packaging was redesigned to appeal to foreign consumers.
As one cooperative leader described, “We used to only think about selling beans in sacks. Now we think about labels, roast profiles, and international certifications. The world is opening for us.”
Building the Coffee Ecosystem
The journey from mountain farm to global market is long and complex. Papua’s coffee strategy therefore goes beyond single events. It focuses on creating an ecosystem where every actor, from farmer to barista, contributes to quality and competitiveness.
Key components of this ecosystem include:
- Training and Capacity Building
Farmers and cooperatives are taught not only how to grow coffee but also how to process it into specialty-grade beans. Programs such as sensory bootcamps and barista workshops strengthen local skills.
- Quality Standards
The adoption of Good Agricultural Practices ensures that beans are consistent, traceable, and aligned with international demands.
- Support for UMKM
By involving small businesses and giving them exposure at FesKop, BI and the provincial government help entrepreneurs scale up and reach export readiness.
- Branding and Promotion
Festivals are paired with roadshows, international exhibitions, and “import promotion” programs. Papua coffee has been introduced in Tokyo through Papua Coffee Week, and similar efforts are planned in Europe.
Challenges on the Horizon
Despite the optimism, challenges remain. Logistics is perhaps the most pressing. Coffee farms are often located in remote highlands with limited road access. Transporting beans to Jayapura or coastal ports is costly and time-consuming.
Financing is another hurdle. Many smallholder farmers lack access to capital for equipment like pulpers, dryers, or storage facilities. Without such investment, maintaining quality is difficult.
Consistency is also an issue. International buyers demand uniform quality and reliable supply schedules. In Papua, where production is scattered and volumes are still relatively small, building trust with global importers requires time.
Finally, Papua coffee must compete in a crowded international market. Ethiopia, Colombia, Vietnam, and Brazil already dominate global supply. Papua must carve out a niche based on uniqueness—its distinct flavour profile, organic growing methods, and cultural stories.
The Government and BI’s Role
The Provincial Government of Papua has pledged strong support for coffee development. Officials see it as a pathway to diversify the economy, reduce dependence on extractive industries, and empower indigenous communities.
Bank Indonesia’s role is equally crucial. Beyond monetary policy, BI has taken on a developmental mission—facilitating festivals, training programs, and even export trials. Its involvement ensures coordination between cooperatives, government agencies, and international partners.
For BI, coffee is not only about trade but also about creating an inclusive economy where small farmers and local entrepreneurs are active participants in growth.
Looking Ahead: Towards Sustainable Exports
Looking ahead, the sustainability of Papua’s coffee industry will hinge on transforming sporadic exports into reliable, long-term trade flows. This vision requires several concrete steps. First, certification—whether organic, fair trade, or specialty grade—will be essential to open the doors of premium international markets that value transparency and quality assurance. Equally important is the strengthening of cooperative structures, enabling farmers to pool resources, standardize their processing methods, and negotiate more favourable deals with buyers. Digital platforms also have a role to play, bridging the gap between remote Papuan producers and overseas consumers by creating direct channels for trade and marketing. At the same time, improvements in logistics are crucial, from storage facilities and transport infrastructure to more dependable shipping routes, ensuring that beans maintain their quality from farm to foreign café. Finally, access to finance must be expanded through instruments like microcredit or subsidized loans, giving farmers and processors the capital to upgrade their tools, facilities, and production capacity. If these interconnected measures can be achieved, Papua coffee will move beyond being a niche product and establish itself as a consistent and respected player in the world’s specialty coffee markets.
More Than a Drink: Coffee as Identity
Beyond economics, coffee has cultural significance in Papua. In many highland communities, sharing coffee is a social ritual, a way of welcoming guests and building trust. Coffee trees are interwoven with stories of land, family, and resilience.
The festival captures this identity. Performances of traditional music and dance accompany the exhibitions. Farmers wear woven Noken bags filled with coffee cherries. Visitors not only sip espresso but also learn about the people and landscapes behind each bean.
For the world, Papua coffee is not just another beverage. It is a story in a cup—of mountains, valleys, coasts, and communities striving for recognition.
Conclusion
The 8 years of FesKop is more than an anniversary celebration. It is a manifestation of Papua’s determination to chart a new economic future, one rooted in sustainable agriculture, cultural pride, and global ambition.
From the misty slopes of Jayawijaya to cafés in Jayapura, from sensory bootcamps to export shipments bound for Europe, the story of Papua coffee is gaining momentum. It is a journey of resilience and aspiration, carried forward by farmers, cooperatives, the government, and Bank Indonesia.
If the momentum continues, one can imagine a future where Papua coffee is not only cherished locally but also sought after in Tokyo’s specialty cafés, Amsterdam’s roasteries, and New York’s artisan markets. A future where every sip tells the story of mountains and valleys, of challenges overcome, and of global dreams brewed in Papua’s fertile soil.