Written question asked by James McMurdock (Independent (affiliation)) on Monday, 12 October 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 14 October 2026. It was answered by Chris Elmore (Labour) on Friday, 16 October 2026 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Solomon Islands: Cocoa

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the British High Commission Honiara World news story entitled UK provides cocoa-processing machine to local producer in Solomon Islands, published on 11 October 2026, what estimate has been made of the value of additional exports of cocoa and chocolate products to the United Kingdom that may result from providing the machine.

Answer: The cost of purchasing, transporting, and installing the cocoa-processing machine was £6,861. The machine was funded from a local programme managed by the British High Commission in Honiara. Kokonut Pacific Solomon Islands (KOSI), which received the machinery, is one of the main cocoa exporters and processors in Solomon Islands. In September, KOSI exported 500kg of beans to the UK. The machinery will support KOSI scale production and expand into new areas, including the production of chocolate paste.

Secondary information