British High Commissioner Paul Turner handed over a new cocoa-processing machine to the social enterprise Kokonut Pacific Solomon Islands (KOSI) on Friday 9 October, according to a report published 11 October 2026 by the British High Commission Honiara. KOSI, established in Honiara in 2004, processes coconuts and cocoa and supports over 1,000 farmers, providing training, market access and business opportunities.

At the hand-over, Turner said the UK was proud to partner with social enterprises like KOSI that link farmers to international markets. The machine is expected to increase production of chocolate paste and finished chocolate products, helping meet local demand and support exports, including to the United Kingdom and New Zealand. The commission said 50% of KOSI's cocoa produce is now consumed within Solomon Islands.

The commission said the UK has increased engagement with the Solomon Islands cocoa sector in recent years. It said several UK cocoa buyers visited in 2024, leading to Solomon Islands cocoa being selected as the source ingredient for a new UK chocolate brand, Cocoa Sisters, and that UK support helped producers exhibit at the Amsterdam “Chocoa” Fair in February 2025.