DEAR EDITOR, quoting Radio New Zealand International – 28 March 2018 “The future of Samoa’s copra industry is getting a further boost after a new joint venture was signed this month with Dr Bronner’s.
“The US multinational soap company’s founder Emanuel Bronner is a third generation master soap maker from a German-Jewish soap making family who used the labels on his organic soaps to spread messages of unity.
“And 3000 litres of Samoa’s premium coconut oil looks set to be delivered annually to the US mainland to make their soaps to service both US and European markets.
“The Americans held meetings with a range of coconut oil businesses, but in the end Fanene Sefo’s was picked.
“Managing director Fanene Sefo said there’s much excitement about the venture under the new brand SerendiCoco Samoa.
“The coconut industry has been in decline for many years. But now coconut seems to have been taken on as a product. It has become a lot more high profile and there’s a much bigger demand for coconut which is good,” Fanene Sefo said.
“He said copra farmers could expect to be paid close to $US600 (1500 tala) per tonne under the deal.
“Their farmers, both on Upolu and Savaii, are all certified as organic and fairtrade.
“It is good for the whole industry, especially the farmers at the grassroots level and we are also embarking on coconut replanting as a lot of trees are getting old and we have to make sure there is a sustainable source of coconuts and copra going forward.”
Does the Solomon Islands have the the potential for coconut oil product exports to the US and European markets? Copyright: RNZI 2018 (All Rights Reserved)
Yours sincerely
FRANK SHORT
