exports

Government increases support for farmers in Tonga

The assistance is part of its sector initiatives to increase household income and national earnings as part of the Government COVID-19 economic recovery.

“The programme includes financial support for rural farmers who are part of the Government Cooperative Society Empowerment Program (FCSEP), helping farmers in Tongatapu, Vava‘u, Ha’apai and ‘Eua with access to finance that will fund agricultural inputs to increase production of marketable crops and increase our exports to improve family livelihoods” said Prime Minister Reverend Dr. Pohiva Tu‘i‘onetoa in a statement.

Kokonut Pacific Solomon Islands finds path to NZ market

Kokonut Pacific, a coconut oil producing company was one of three companies from the Solomon Islands invited to attend Auckland’s Pasifika Festival earlier in March as part of the PTI Pacific Path to Market programme.

The six-stage programme involves attending a Pacific Path to Market workshop in their own country, followed by an invitation to Pasifika Festival, a Gap Analysis workshop and one-to-one business meetings with prospective buyers, importers and distributors.

Ministry seeks TP$2 million for Tonga’s export project

The Ministry’s Chief Executive Officer, Anisi Bloomfield says they have requested TP$2 million from the 2017/18 budget to support the project.

Bloomfield and Head of the Business Support and Facilitation Division, Tevita Lautaha, led a Tongan delegation which struck a deal to export food, fish and handicrafts direct to New Zealand suppliers.

As reported by Kaniva News last month, Tonga would export crops including taro, yams, manioke, kape, taro and pele leaves.

Tonga needs to open new trade market in NZ

A member of Tonga’s Council in NZ – Melino Maka spoke to Radio Tonga from Auckland and said the Government needs to act on these issues.

He says there are opportunities for farmers in Tonga to grow their plantations and not only export them to Tongans in NZ, but also to larger markets that can help them earn a lot of revenue.

Maka says many of the agricultural produce needed by foreigners in NZ are imported from Asian Countries such as Vietnam and the Philippines, but why not Tonga.

Pacific exchange in drive for quality cocoa exports

This is part of a wider drive to improve the quality and reputation of Pacific cocoa, so that it can be sold into higher priced international markets. 

The Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access (PHAMA) Program brought together experts from PNG, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Samoa to foster technical discussions and exchanges on cocoa quality testing and build the capacity of technical staff from relevant research organisations.