The opening of a new export processing facility in the Western Division augurs well with Fiji’s desire to boost its export capabilities.

Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Joeli Cawaki this week officially opened the new Maqere Export Company Limited processing facility in Tavua.

Mr Cawaki said the opening of the processing facility would now open newer opportunities for the company and the Fijian economy as a whole.

“It is the opportunities for growth and raising the economic performance to another level, and will increase export earnings as well contributing to our National Output or the Gross Domestic Product of our economy,” he said.

Farmers from within the Ra to Sigatoka corridor supply the company with required commodities while seafood and ginger is purchased from as far as Labasa and Tailevu.

“The Government is definitely willing to discharge support for initiatives as such,” Mr Cawaki said.

“This development will further increase employment opportunities and means of getting foreign currencies to our economy that are much needed for importing purposes.”

The facility

The new processing facility is compliant with Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) and has all necessary fittings.

It is valued at over FJ$300,000 and is expected to help increase the quantity and ensure better safety and quality standards of the fresh and frozen fruits, vegetables, root crops and seafood the company exports.

The construction of the facility was supported by the Fiji Government. This is through the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Industry and Trade, in conjunction with the European Union, the Government of Australia and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC).

Maqere Exports

Maqere Exports, situated on the outskirts of Tavua in the Western Division of Fiji, is managed by local entrepreneur Hussein Ali and his family.

Over the past three decades, the company has grown from its first export consignment of 250 kg to an export volume of around 150 tonnes a year.

Maqere exports 33 different commodities ranging from fresh produces, cooked and frozen fruits and food, root crops, frozen seafood, fruits and kava powder.

Since 2012, the company has exported approximately 420 tonnes of fresh and frozen agricultural produce valued at FJ$1.9 million.

Maqere Exports has been supported by the Australian Government through the Market Development Facility (MDF), its flagship programme for private sector development in Fiji.

It buys agricultural produce from around 70 to 100 farmers who are located mainly in the Western Division (Rakiraki to Sigatoka), and it is estimated that, by 2016, this figure will have steadily increased to over 150 farmers.

Maqere Exports supplies to markets in Auckland, New Zealand, and a new window was recently opened in USA.

The company is looking to further expand its export market overseas, which means more farmer clusters in the future.

Maqere Exports, which started operation in 1978, currently employs around 21 people.

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