Copra Millers of Fiji Limited (CMFL) will be providing opportunities to youths and community groups in supplying whole coconuts to the company.

This was discussed during their annual general meeting at CMFL complex in Savusavu last week.

Copra Millers of Fiji Limited chairman Raj Sharma said due to the damages sustained after Tropical Cyclone Winston, most coconut farms on Vanua Levu and maritime islands were not supplying enough coconuts to the mill.

“There is a short supply of coconuts and the price of coconuts has increased,” Mr Sharma said.

“Before the cost of one coconut used to be 20 cents and now it is 40 or 45 cents.”

He said the setup of the Virgin Coconut Oil factory will help in sustaining the aim of stabilising oil prices in the next six months.

“The cost of one litre crude oil is $2 and when local and overseas buyers refine it they sell it for $4 per litre,” he said.

“With the VCO production, setup and extension, we had invested about $500,000.”

The possibilities of planting more coconut palms were also part of the AGM discussions.

“We need to work with the Ministry of Agriculture in terms of coconut planting.” he said.

“We have our own nursery near the mill and we have planned to plant 12,000 coconuts.”

EDITED BY: KATHRIN KRISHNA

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