All-female cocoa venture connects Solomon Islands and UK through ethical trade and sustainable chocolate
Managing Director of Cocoa Sister Sarah Pyne showing Chocolate brownies made from Solomon Islands cocoa
Tasting notes for Chocolate made from cocoa grown by Agnes from Solomon Islands
Guests at the Chocolate tasting event
In a growing trading relationship between the Solomon Islands and the UK, a landmark all-female-led business collaboration has emerged from the UK-Pacific Economic Partnership Agreement. This initiative is setting new standards for cocoa farming in the Pacific, highlighting the resilience and skills of local producers.
This development stems from the efforts of UK ethical chocolate maker Cocoa Sisters, which is now bringing premium, single-origin chocolate to British consumers using cocoa cultivated by women farmers in the Solomon Islands. The partnership began with a connection between UK-based ethical chocolatier Sarah Payne and pioneering female cocoa producers from the Pacific Islands.
This connection was first established during a trade mission in September 2024, where 10 cocoa buyers visited the Solomon Islands under the UK Government-funded United Kingdom Trade Partnerships (UKTP) Programme. In February 2025, the UKTP Programme also supported four Solomon Islands cocoa producers to attend a cocoa trade fair in Amsterdam, further strengthening their links with buyers from the UK and other global markets.
The UKTP Programme, funded by the UK Government and implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC), aims to enhance export readiness and build commercial relationships for businesses in African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) countries. In the Solomon Islands, the programme has worked extensively with women-led enterprises, cocoa farmers, processors, and exporters to improve quality, packaging, branding, and market access.
The launch of Cocoa Sisters marks the arrival of a brand focused on empowerment and equity, alongside exceptional flavour. Cocoa Sisters sources its cocoa directly from women-led farms, upholding a commitment to sustainable agriculture and fair compensation for producers.
At the core of this venture are Agnes Pilopaso from Guadalcanal and Lucy Kasimwane from Makira, two female farmers who have received support from UKTP in areas such as capacity building, trade promotion, and market connectivity.
At the launch event in London last week, His Excellency Mr. Moses Kouni Mose, Solomon Islands Ambassador to the European Union, stated:
“I think this is something that needs to be developed and I see the potential not only for cocoa but also other agriculture commodities from Solomon Islands like coffee, palm oil and coconut body products that can have added value. We really appreciate the collaboration that this has realised.”
H.E Moses Mose and Managing Director of Cocoa Sisters Sarah Pyne
Ambassador of the Solomon Islands to the EU H.E. Moses Kouni Mose
Sarah Payne, Managing Director of Cocoa Sisters and Founder of Cocoa Loco, shared:
“So, the idea behind Cocoa Sisters is that we will source directly from female cocoa farmers, supporting them financially and telling their stories. At the same time raising awareness of the imbalances that exist in the cocoa supply chain. But this is more than a chocolate brand, it is a platform that uplifts women and we’re shining a light on their brilliance and of course getting cocoa beans from Pacific Islands remote places is quite challenging, but I’ve been overwhelmed by the support that I’ve had.”
The launch featured tastings of the first Cocoa Sisters collection, crafted using beans from Solomon Islands farmers Agnes and Lucy, as well as Delwin from Papua New Guinea. Guests enjoyed chocolate martinis and brownies made from their cocoa.
Managing Director of Cocoa Sisters Sarah Pyne showing the cocoa tasting lables
UK Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Indo-Pacific) Catherine West MP making her remarks
Tasting notes for Chocolate made from cocoa grown by Lucy from Solomon Islands
Also in attendance, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Indo-Pacific) Catherine West MP and Ambassador Mose spoke about the importance of global collaboration and the role of women-led businesses in international trade.
British High Commissioner to Solomon Islands and Nauru, His Excellency Paul Turner, commented on the opportunity this venture presents:
“Solomon Islands cocoa is a high-end product that is exotic to the British customer. In the UK we are used to getting our cocoa from countries such as Ghana in West Africa. It is great to have a more diversified market, and I look forward to strengthening the commercial ties between the UK and Solomon Islands.”
Recent Successes for Solomon Islands Exporters
Free From Awards 2024 Solomons Gold, a chocolate producer from Solomon Islands, won multiple accolades including silver and bronze medals across seven vegan chocolate varieties. Their allergen-free chocolates—free from dairy, gluten, nuts, soy, and refined sugar—were recognised as fitting options for health-conscious British consumers. As winners, they gained rights to display the Free From Awards logo, an internationally respected mark that signifies quality and safety.
Great Taste Awards 2024 Organised by the UK’s Guild of Fine Food, the Great Taste Awards are based on a rigorous blind-tasting process involving over 500 expert judges. Solomons Gold received two-star recognition for two products—Dark Orange 70% Cacao and Dark Nib 75% Cacao—signifying exceptional taste.
CocoCaravan Collaboration 2025 UK-based bean-to-bar chocolate maker CocoCaravan is entering two bars made from Solomon Islands-sourced cocoa into the 2025 Great Taste Awards. These handcrafted bars—75% Ailali and 75% Pilopaso—were made using beans acquired during the UKTP cocoa mission in September 2024. Results are expected by July 2025.
Nourish Awards 2024 The Nourish Awards, which honour health and innovation in food, awarded Solomons Gold multiple recognitions including ‘Best Vegan Chocolate’ for their Dark Orange, Dark Caramel, and Dark Nib varieties. The three-star ratings confirm their products meet top-tier standards in the health-conscious market segment.
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