Papua New Guinea’s Major Exports: Gold, LNG, Coffee & More

Papua New Guinea (PNG) is a resource-rich nation whose economy leans heavily on mineral and agricultural exports. The following commodities dominate its export earnings:

Mineral & Energy Exports

• Gold – PNG is a top-20 global gold producer; major mines include Porgera, Lihir, and Hidden Valley.
• Copper concentrates – From the Ok Tedi and (formerly) Panguna mines.
• Crude petroleum – Produced in the Southern Highlands and Gulf provinces.
• Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) – The PNG LNG project (ExxonMobil-operated) exports ~8 million tonnes/year to Asia.

Agricultural & Marine Exports

• Coffee – High-altitude Arabica from the Highlands; a key smallholder cash crop.
• Cocoa – Grown in East New Britain, Bougainville, and Madang.
• Palm oil – Expanding estates in West New Britain and Oro provinces.
• Fish & marine products – Tuna (skipjack, yellowfin) for canning and loining; reef fish, prawns.
• Tea – From Western Highlands plantations.

Economic Context

Minerals and hydrocarbons typically account for 70–80% of export value, while agriculture supports rural livelihoods. PNG’s trade partners include Australia, China, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea.