These were the words of the First Secretary, His Excellency Adham Crichton from the New Zealand High Commission, during the opening of a mini-workshop for growers and exporters organised by the New Zealand Ministry of Primary Industries, the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (BAF), and the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways held at the Serua Provincial Council Hall, in Navua yesterday.

“Fiji is already the Pacific’s largest fresh produce exporter to New Zealand, supplying more than 80 per cent of the region’s fresh produce exports to New Zealand,” said His Excellency Crichton.

“Key crops include taro, eggplant, okra and breadfruit. These exports contribute to sustainable livelihoods for communities in Fiji and play an important role in Fiji’s economy,” he said.

He added that these exports provide New Zealanders with access to tropical fruits, vegetables, root crops, and kava, and give large the Fijian and Pacific populations in New Zealand a taste of home.

He added that consistently producing high-quality produce for the export market requires enormous effort and commitment.

“You also know how rewarding it is to produce for your families and communities, and markets locally and globally,” said His Excellency Crichton.

“Governments open the door and make the rules, but exporters like yourselves are the real engines of trade. Our role as officials is to support you, ensure that there are clear pathways for your products into markets, and to provide a framework that enables trade to flourish,” said His Excellency Crichton.

He emphasised that exports should be driven by market demands, which requires an understanding of what New Zealand consumers want and how to deliver those products to them.

The workshops which will be held in designated areas in the Central and Western Divisions will focus on this topic as part of a broader effort to increase the availability of Pacific produce in New Zealand supermarkets.

Additionally, a mini trade forum scheduled from June 16 to June 20, 2025, aims to support this initiative.

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