A significant milestone for the Niulakita Island community will be marked this evening as Niukita Pty Limited officially receives essential equipment to support its red toddy juice production. The handover event highlights the growing potential of red toddy syrup as a key economic and cultural product for Tuvalu.

The Honourable Feleti Teo, Prime Minister of Tuvalu, together with David Charlton, Australian High Commissioner to Tuvalu, and Belinda Afelee, Senior Development Programme Coordinator at the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade, will attend the event to acknowledge this milestone and the support provided through the Australian and New Zealand-funded Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Plus (PHAMA Plus) Program.

As part of this initiative, Niukita Pty Limited will receive a range of specialised equipment, including key items for processing the red toddy, such as aluminium pots, stainless steel strainers, chef knives, pH meters, a petrol generator and a hybrid chest freezer. These items will support efficient, high-quality toddy production, improving market supply and economic opportunities for the Niulakita community.

Red toddy is a honey like syrup produced from boiling sap extracted from the coconut flower. It remains a vital commodity across Tuvalu’s nine islands, serving both domestic markets and informal export channels to Fiji and New Zealand. However, challenges such as declining labour availability and loss of traditional harvesting skills have impacted supply.

Through this partnership, Niukita Pty Limited is being equipped to revitalise red toddy production, ensuring that local communities not only benefit financially but also preserve an integral part of their cultural heritage. The expansion of production is expected to strengthen economic self-reliance, create employment and contribute to social cohesion.

“With the support of Australia and New Zealand, Niukita Pty Limited is being empowered to capitalise on new economic opportunities,” says David Charlton, Australian High Commissioner to Tuvalu. “This investment aligns with the vision of PHAMA Plus to foster sustainable, locally driven agricultural businesses that enhance livelihoods.”

Beyond the equipment handover, the partnership includes targeted training programs for community members, jointly delivered by a local trainer, the Department of Agriculture, and PHAMA Plus staff.

The training will equip participants with essential skills to enhance red toddy production by focusing on sustainable harvesting and production techniques, pest and disease management, and food safety and hygiene standards to improve marketability. Additionally, the training will also promote gender and disability inclusion, targeting equitable participation within the industry.

This initiative marks the first partnership between PHAMA Plus and Niukita Pty Limited and is expected to strengthen local enterprise, promote sustainable agricultural practices, and reinforce Tuvalu’s rich cultural traditions.