Solomons Gold has worked alongside PTI Australia for over 12 years, exhibiting on the Pacific Showcase stand on multiple occasions, including most recently in 2025. Through sustained participation in trade exhibitions and buyer engagement initiatives, the company has steadily expanded its international reach.
At last year’s Fine Food Australia exhibition, Solomons Gold connected with a Czech distributor through the Pacific Showcase – underscoring the event’s reach as being well beyond the domestic market. That introduction has since progressed into a confirmed initial order, establishing a new European distribution channel for Solomon Islands single-origin cacao products.
While the business already supplies a UK-based online chocolate retailer, a relationship it continues to maintain, the Czech partnership represents a direct outcome of engagement facilitated through PTI Australia’s platform.
Solomons Gold’s journey began in 2004 when founder Clive Carroll travelled to the Solomon Islands and encountered neglected cacao plantations. With a background in agriculture and a strong interest in premium dark chocolate, Clive established C Corp, a cocoa buying, processing and export business, with a vision to revitalise the sector.
Since 2006, the enterprise has worked directly with cacao landowners and village grower groups across the Solomon Islands, providing infrastructure support, technical guidance and improved market access. Today, C Corp collaborates with more than 100 cacao-grower groups and local teams in Honiara and Auki, sourcing organically grown cacao from some of the country’s most remote regions.
Solomons Gold operates as a vertically integrated cacao and chocolate company, producing and exporting premium single-origin beans before transforming them into finished chocolate products in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand. Its chocolate ranges are vegan and free from gluten, nuts and soy, crafted using natural ingredients to preserve the unique flavour profile of Solomon Islands cacao.
PTI Australia’s partnership with Solomons Gold has focused on building long-term market readiness and facilitating commercial connections. Through repeated exhibition opportunities, introductions to international buyers and ongoing engagement, PTI Australia has supported the company’s efforts to strengthen its brand positioning and enter competitive export markets.
Sarah Frydman, Director at Solomons Gold, said PTI Australia’s support has played a meaningful role in the company’s international expansion.
“PTI Australia has provided us with consistent opportunities to showcase Solomon Islands cacao on a professional international platform. The Pacific Showcase at Fine Food Australia has enabled us to connect directly with serious buyers, build credibility in the market and open conversations that would otherwise be difficult to access as a Pacific-focused enterprise.
“The introduction to our Czech distributor is a clear example of how PTI Australia’s support translates into real commercial outcomes.”
With continued participation in PTI Australia’s Pacific Showcase and growing interest from European buyers, Solomons Gold’s trajectory demonstrates how long-term partnership, market exposure and consistent quality can position Pacific agricultural products competitively on the global stage.
Solomons Gold products are available for purchase here.
