New export pathways for Fijian agri-products has been established during the recent Fine Food Show held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in Australia.

With Australia being the second largest importing country for Fiji’s agriculture commodities over the past five years, Deputy Secretary (Agriculture Development) for the Ministry of Agriculture, Jone Sovalawa, who led the Fijian delegation to the Fine Food Show said the demand for Fiji’s local produce continued toincrease annually.

“The current demand of Fiji products continues to grow each year and this is linked to the increasing number of Pacific Island people migrating to Australia as well as tourists who have visited our shores and tasted our food has contributed to the increase in demand.

“Government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Trade and Tourism is fully supportive of connecting local exporters to overseas markets and during the food show, large Australian distributors such as ‘Fiesta Ingredients’ showed their interest in desiccated coconut from Fiji rather than mass coconut suppliers because of the organic nature of Fiji’s coconuts,” Mr Sovalawa said.

He added that a positive indication of Government’s commitment to connecting agro-exporters to overseas markets was the exhibitors’ appreciation on being offered the opportunity to be part of Fiji’s delegation to the Food Show as there was a large turnout of visitors at the Fiji booth.

Agro Marketing Authority sales representative Eroni Qama said there were interested buyers inquiring to buy frozen taro, cassava and virgin coconut oil stating; “Distributors from key importing countries were all under one roof which made it easier for them to find us and was simpler for us too to promote our products.”

Bula Batiki representative Mr Callum Drummond was grateful for the opportunity for a small island like Batiki to tell their story on the international stage.

“Through the new connections at this event, Bula Batiki is hopeful to export to the Australian, New Zealand and US markets and through meeting interested buyers, we hope to increase our sales to Australia,” he said.

“I am thankful for the support by the Fijian Government which allowed this unique opportunity for us to showcase our products and to lift the reputation of a remote island community, certainly it’s going to boost agriculture production in the maritime islands whether it’s virgin coconut oil, cocoa, turmeric, cinnamon or vanilla,” added Mr. Drummond.

Nadi based Adi Chocolate (Fijian Cacao) director, Mr Tomohito Zukoshi highlighted the exchange of information and interaction with international buyers during the Food Show was valuable for local exporters.

“I have been exposed to new product ideas and have also learnt some of the latest technologies not only limited to chocolate but other new innovative ideas which I have been fortunate to have been a part of,” said Mr. Zukoshi.

Upon visiting the Fijian booth during the Food Show, Managing Director of Niue Vanilla International, Mr Stanley Kalauni, revealed that he was willing to buy vanilla from Fiji at farm gate prices ranging from $650.00-$800.00 per kg and would be based on quality and quantity.

“I am willing to travel to Fiji to educate farmers on proper propagation, nursing, pollination, harvesting methods and curing of beans to maintain quality so that it fetches a high price. Vanilla is more advantageous in that once vacuum packed it can last 4 years on the shelf.

Australia has a huge organic market. The market assumption in Australia is; true organic products can be best sourced from pristine environments like the Pacific, which is part of Fiji’s comparative advantage.

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