Susana Yalikanacea of Cicia Island in Lau has been receiving orders for her virgin coconut oil from overseas buyers, apart from local orders.

Ms Yalikanacea, a retired agricultural officer, is running her own virgin coconut oil business on Cicia.

She said that from 2014 to 2016 the demand was huge from markets overseas and locally.

At the moment she is working on some orders from Suva and they are for 20 to 500 millilitre bottles.

 The organic Selavo virgin coconut oil.

She also had three outlets in Nadi, Suva and Nausori Airport.

The prices at these outlets are $15 for a 500ml bottle and $7.50 for a 250ml bottle.

Ms Yalikanacea said she was also selling coconut oil at Cicia and her price – $7 for a 500ml bottle and $3.50 for a 250ml bottle.

She has been instrumental in making Cicia an organic island.

Ms Yalikanacea had seen the low value islanders received from copra and decided that value adding was the way to go.

So she started making virgin coconut oil and now all the women of Cicia know how to produce it.

A worker involved in the production of virgin oil in Cicia, Lau.

The Cicia VCO oil achieved certification and was awarded the use of the Organic Pasifika Trademark.

A visitor assisting in the production of virgin oil in Cicia. Photo: Susana Yalikanacea

Edited Ivamere Nataro

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