INFRASTRUCTURE FOR PROCESSING AND PACKAGING HORTICULTURAL PRODUCTS FOR EXPORT IN TONGA

In 2013, PHAMA commissioned a study to identify agricultural export processing infrastructure priorities in Tonga. One of the recommendations from that study was the establishment of two decentralised general-purpose processing facilities on the main island of Tongatapu. This 2016 report re-examines the current need for, and viability of, an Eastern District Packing Facility. The overall recommendation is that there is need for such a facility as part of increasing horticultural exports, and that the facility be established according to a business plan that has been prepared separately. However, the study recognises two key risks:- (i) identifying a commercial partner willing to invest in and manage the facility, and (ii) exporter reluctance to pay commercial fees.