Joeri Kalwij found his way into the coffee world in 2008, when a commodity trader approached him to establish a sustainability and certification department in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Eleven years later, he joined NKG as General Manager at New Guniea Highlands Coffee.

Though his relationship with coffee began simply as a daily habit, working in the coffee sector quickly deepened his appreciation for its diversity and complexity. “Working in origin might not be for everyone, but it is this diversity that I love,” he explains. From engaging with local coffee-growing communities to collaborating with international partners, every day in PNG brings new challenges and opportunities. One of the most rewarding aspects of his work is seeing the tangible impact coffee has on communities in PNG. “We operate in an area where the crop means something real. It’s a privilege to do so in one of the most beautiful and diverse countries in the world. The road trips are always beautiful, and I never take that for granted.”

Since joining NKG, Joeri has appreciated the group’s sense of unity. “There’s a friendly collegialism that NKG can be proud of. Here in PNG, we have an excellent team, and hosting visitors who travel here for coffee tours is something we do well. I enjoy seeing them leave with good memories and a strong desire to return.”

If given the chance, he’d like to swap roles with someone on the import side. “It’s always good to have a look at ‘the other side of the fence‘. I would say: Dan Vella from IAC Australia. Still a relatively young group company. Being part of its development from the start and seeing it grow must be a good challenge and very rewarding.”