Pacific's smallest nations showcase boutique products

Pacific’s smallest nations showcase boutique products on Food and Beverage Trade Mission

Friday 6 November 2015

They are amongst some of the smallest Pacific Island economies in the Pacific but they are resilient survivors when it comes to being successful in business on small islands.

Six exporters from the smallest island states of the Pacific will be in Auckland next week on the Pacific Islands Trade & Invest Food and Beverage Exploratory Trade mission from 9-13 November to learn more about the landscape of the New Zealand market.

The six exporters from the Cook Islands, Kiribati, Palau, Niue, Nauru, Tuvalu and the Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI) will bring product samples ranging from wines and liqueurs from local fruit and vanilla beans from the Cook Islands, coconut sap sugar, syrup and virgin coconut oil from Kiribati, organic vanilla from Niue, pandanus juice from the Marshall Islands, giant clam shells and mangrove crabs from Palau and coconut oil, banana and breadfruit chips from Tuvalu.

Amongst the smallest is Tuvalu, severely challenged by climate change and rising sea water. The Tuvalu Coconut Traders Cooperative Limited represented by General Manager Pasivao Mani will be in Auckland to promote, fresh mature coconuts and coconut oil, banana and breadfruit chips. Agling Onorio is the President Kiribati’s K-Organic Producers (KOP), producing coconut sap sugar, coconut syrup and virgin coconut oil. Niue Vanilla’s Stan Kalauni will be supplying some of the best quality vanilla from the Pacific.

RMI National Trade Advisor Miss Radika Kumar says “The mission is crucial for RMI as a small island state and as part of the Government endorsed Be Marshallese, Buy Marshallese campaign to promote Marshallese made goods and services. “The Pandanus sector is unique to the Marshall Islands, the juice of the Pandanus is exclusive to the RMI. Given that this could be a potential product for the international market, with promotion and assistance in the area of improving product standards, this promotional forum is crucial.”

Pacific Islands Trade & Invest Trade Development Manager Teremoana Mato says there are many challenges for small island states with rising sea levels from climate change, shipping costs and distances to market but they continue to seek ways to be resilient.

“International buyers take a strong interest in the unique stories behind the origins of our small island states products. Some of the delegates represent village set-ups, cooperatives and women’s groups. These groups take a lot of pride in the unique production of their products. The advantage of being small is that the enterprises know every step of the production cycle and closely monitor the quality of their product. Involvement in exports gives our people the opportunity to take pride in the products as they can feel engaged with the world, with whom they may never meet but have a sense of being a part of the development of a Pacific product makes a difference in their economic activity at the village level” says Mr Mato.

The mission is the first Pacific Islands Trade & Invest Small Island States trade delegation to visit New Zealand for several years. The tailor made programme is industry specific focused on the food and beverage industries. On day one delegates will attend a workshop on NZ import regulations and processes to understand some of the technical barriers to trade, sanitary and phytosanitary requirements. This will be followed by a site visit to the Airport and a media conference at the PT&I office 5pm followed by an After 5 networking event where guests will taste samples made from the exporters products.

The following day, the delegation will make site visits to government biosecurity and customs departments, private sector importers and buyers; chefs and hospitality industry representatives to gain key insights into the industry trends and opportunities from importers, distributors and retailers. A bonus for the trade mission will be the opportunity to meet with some of New Zealand’s top Pacific Island chefs who will share their experiences of sourcing and using ingredients to create unique Pacific menus and dishes.

The project is a joint venture by the Pacific Islands Trade & Invest supported by the Pacific Integration Technical Assistance Programme under the European Union.

ENDS

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