The Cocoa buyers in Sepik are in need of K9 million per day to purchase Cocoa from Local Cocoa farmers. East Sepik Provincial Member Allan Bird in a public post on Facebook stated that during a meeting with 5 exporters, Cocoa Board, East Sepik Provincial Administration and his office this afternoon, the following issues were discussed: 1. Exporters require K9million every day to purchase cocoa for the next 72 days of this cocoa flush. There are limits to how much cash they can access daily from the commercial banks. 2. Fermentary owners require cash to buy wet beans at K8/9 per kilo. Banking limits make it hard for them to get enough cash to pay the farmers. Fermentary owners prefer cash for easier transactions. 3. EU Streit confirms the opening of 112,000 accounts for farmers with MiBank and Women's Micro Bank. However, most of those accounts are not being used. It is very difficult for farmers to open accounts with commercial banks. 4. Exporters are experiencing container shortages at the wharf as well due to the sudden increase in volumes. 5. Exporters are also experiencing stock build-up in their warehouses. Mr. Bird said the exporters have agreed to speak to the shipping companies to increase the supply of containers and exporters have already noticed an increase in production as the first harvests come in. "Exporters were requested to collect data on all the sellers to see if we can assist them to open bank accounts with commercial banks. I will speak to BSP management next week to see what can be done to increase the cash supply in Wewak and Maprik. A regular meeting will be held with exporters to help resolve our challenges going forward. Finding solutions to new problems is refreshing," Mr. Bird said.