Navigating viable export pathways for Tonga’s agricultural trade Tonga’s agricultural trade of fresh produce to overseas markets is often impacted by the availability and affordability of shipping, a constraint further exacerbated by the global COVID-19 pandemic and recent crises. Finding cost effective solutions and actions to address shipping constraints will help maintain Tonga’s agricultural trade with key markets such as Australia and New Zealand and help ‘navigate’ new viable export

Premium sun dried Solomon Islands cocoa exported to the United Kingdom Solomon Islands today sent its first Less-than-container Load (LCL) shipment of premium cocoa to chocolatiers in the United Kingdom as part of an innovative new pilot project. This container, which had cocoa beans from 50 farmer groups and consolidators across Guadalcanal and Isabel, was shipped under the Less Than a Container Load (LCL) Access to Markets project, piloted by

Lami Kava launches Domestic Violence and Workplace Policy on #IWD22 Lami Kava, one of Fiji’s leading kava exporters, broke new ground today with the launch of its policy on domestic violence to build a more respectful and supportive workplace. It’s a significant move for the company and for Fiji as more employers are addressing domestic violence, which affects two out of three women in the country. The company’s Managing Director,

Challenge for an equal world Women continue to shape the world and undeniably play a crucial role in the agriculture sector. But while there have been positive changes, more needs to be done so that women across agricultural value chains are economically empowered and have equal access to the right resources. This is part of a wider global call today on International Women’s Day to “Break the Bias” and help

When African Swine Fever (ASF) arrived in Papua New Guinea in March 2020, Dr Nime Kapo was tasked to provide technical advice to the Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer in NAQIA. As a well-qualified and respected veterinarian in PNG, his role involved helping develop and implement an appropriate response strategy amidst the country’s unique pig husbandry practices.  This included the notably high cultural value of the pig commodity, and

A new agreement has been established for technical support in Niue under the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER Plus).

The agreement between the Government of Niue and the Australian and New Zealand funded Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Plus Program (PHAMA Plus) aims to facilitate agricultural trade and support development opportunities arising from participation in the PACER Plus agreement.

Growing agricultural trade between Australia and the Pacific A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment and DT Global will grow agricultural trade between Pacific Island countries and Australia, through improved food security, better market access and biosecurity outcomes. Signed 6 October by Australian Chief Plant Protection Officer, Gabrielle Vivian-Smith and DT Global Asia Pacific Managing Director, Frank Maiolo the MoU will strengthen the partnership between

In recent years, Pacific Islands Centre (PIC) has focused on supporting the sales of coffee and cocoa (chocolate) from Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa and other countries, to the Japanese market through participation in FOODEX Japan and other information and networking sharing events. Pacific exporters have the potential to expand the sales of their agricultural products and achieve sustainable export market opportunities in Japan. This was underscored during a

New standards to improve PNG’s coffee trade The Coffee Industry Corporation (CIC) rolled out the coffee industry’s revised green bean standard and new regulation policy guidelines for coffee trade in Papua New Guinea (PNG).  More information on the new guidelines can be found in the Regulatory Policy Guidelines & Procedural Manual which can be requested from CIC. The new green bean standards address the price discrimination between small holders and

Vanuatu will soon see increased production of high-quality noble kava varieties through a system of village nurseries and farmer training programs. The Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access Plus Program (PHAMA Plus) – supported by Australia and New Zealand – has partnered with Vanuatu kava exporting company – The Kava House to provide training that will directly support the development and expansion of village nurseries in key kava planting areas

Virgin coconut oil producers harness business skills at workshop Over 50 virgin coconut oil (VCO) producers were part of a 3-day training workshop in Honiara focused on strengthening their business skills and financial management. The workshop is an annual event targeting producers who are direct micro expeller (DME) unit owners registered with Kokonut Pacific Solomon Islands (KPSI). Held as part of the Solomon Islands Virgin Coconut Oil Producers Association (SIVCOPA)