Ginger plays an important role in the livelihood of the people of Fiji.

Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Viam Pillay noted that it creates employment, generates income for the rural people, alleviates poverty and is environmentally sustainable.

Mr Pillay was the chief guest at the official opening for the refurbished Frespac Ginger (Fiji) Ltd factory in Lami yesterday.

The company is a subsidiary of the Buderim Group – an international ginger marketer and strong supporter of the Fijian Government initiative on the five Year Plan for an Economically and Environmentally Sustainable Fiji Ginger Industry.

He said today, the focus on export market is a narrow seasonal niche for baby ginger.

“In parallel to the fresh export industry, processed ginger is now the industry’s dominant sector, and is where the greatest growth opportunities lie.

“When compared to other commodities, ginger has significantly greater growth potential than any of Fiji’s other agricultural export industries.

“There are realistic market opportunities for Fiji to at least double ginger product sales over the next five-years.

“For example, the opening up of the mature ginger market in Australia in 2013.”

He said however, achieving this would depend on all stakeholders – farmers, private sectors (processors/exporters like Feshpac & Bunderim) and Government to work together in delivering the necessary production at the required quality.

Government’s perspective

He also shared Government’s perspective on the ginger industry.

“The vision for the ginger industry in Fiji is for a substantially expanded Fiji Ginger Industry that is both economically and environmentally sustainable which provides a worthwhile livelihood for an increased number of people.

“The role of the various public sector entities involved, such as the Ministry of Agriculture, is to facilitate the supply of quality ginger from the farmers that meets the requirements of agribusinesses.

“This is through such things as supporting business development and investment and creating an enabling regulatory and service delivery environment.

Frespac (Ginger) Fiji Ltd

Buderim Group limited chief executive Andrew Bond said in order to succeed the agribusiness companies must develop new products and new markets.

“Only by doing this will the whole value chain benefit from increased ginger production,” Mr Bond said.

“The Buderim Group has commenced this journey by creating new packaging and products to appeal to a broader range of customers and consumers by utilising social media and developing platforms such as the GingerNet to bridge to younger consumers.

“Through our shareholder investors we have access to new markets, most notably the Chinese market where we will look to the health care properties of ginger and associated products.

“Through their network we can access some 4,500 distributors and 990,000 outlets covering both the on-line and off-line markets.

“We look forward to working alongside the Fijian Government and other ginger industry participants, to provide a stable, sustainable, and cost effective supply chain for new markets.”

Mr Bond said they have a number of new products in the pipeline.

“We look forward to bringing them to market and growing both the consumer’s awareness of ginger and the demand for ginger products.”

Mr Pillay believes that renovation is very critical especially for companies like Frespac in terms of food quality.

“This is your image; this is where your brand begins.

“Having a new working environment will not only boost the morale of the people working for the company, but as mentioned already, it will bring about increased productivity which is for the betterment for the company.”

The total investment made for the refurbishment was over $300,000.

This upgrade was necessary to maintain the high level of quality ginger being produced by Frespac.

Feedback:  maraia.vula@fijisun.com.fj