HFC keeps Juice Fiji going

With support from Business Link Pacific, a concessionary from HFC Bank in Fiji has helped transform Juice Fiji.

Founded by Panapasa Daunakam­akama, Juice Fiji started as a small backyard operation-today it has grown into a thriving enterprise providing stable employment to lo­cal workers with a quality product reliably available in supermarkets.

For the Tailevu man, the inspira­tion behind Juice Fiji is deeply per­sonal. As a child, he often watched his grandmother prepare herbal remedies using local plants to treat common illnesses.

"Those moments stayed with me," he shared.

"My grandmother believed in the healing power of nature, and that inspired me to create something healthy and natural for our peo­ple."

Turning that inspiration into a successful business came with challenges, particularly access to finance.

Like many micro, small, and me­dium enterprises (MSMEs), Juice Fiji needed capital to expand production and meet growing demand.

Panapasa was connected with HFC Bank through BLP-approved advisors Elvin Prasad and Naveen Kumar from Apex Accounting and Taxation Services.

With the help of Apex, he com­pleted his financial statements and loan application, successfully securing a loan that became a key turning point for Juice Fiji and transformed his business's trajec­tory:

For Panapasa, engaging with a BLP Advisor offered an additional advantage.

Members of the BLP Advisory Network are able to provide subsi­dised services to their clients.

In great news he was also able to secure a BLP subsidy that signifi­cantly reduced the cost of account­ing services from Apex Accounting.

"Business Link Pacific really helped with the collateral," he said.

"They made it possible for me to access the loan from HFC, I only had to put up a small amount my­self, and the rest was guaranteed through the partnership."

The HFC loan has supported Juice Fiji to expand production, strengthen marketing, and maintain con­sistent stock levels across super­market shelves.

Today, the business employs five full-time and five casual workers, including women who help prepare, bottle, and restock products.

"The support from HFC made it possible for us to keep our products flowing and our staff continuously working.

"It's what keeps our business sta­ble and growing," Panapasa said.

Juice Fiji now produces between 2000 and 10,000 bottles weekly, gen­erating $20,000 to $40,000 in sales, and has already begun exporting to Australia and New Zealand.

Operating from a rented facil­ity in Colo-i-suva, Panapasa is now preparing to expand operations to a new site in Nakasi.
While challenges like delayed su­permarket payments remain, he re­mains optimistic - crediting HFC and BLP for giving him the confi­dence and capacity to grow.

"HFC has been with me from the start," Panapasa said.

"Without their loan, our products wouldn't be on the shelves, and our business wouldn't have this consist­ency," he said.

"The collateral support gave me a real chance to expand and create jobs for others."

From his grandmother's herbal wisdom to a modern, health-fo­cused brand, Panapasa Daunakam­akama's Juice Fiji is proof that with the right financial support, local innovation can grow into na­tional success.

In Fiji, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) can explore similar opportunities through Busi­ness Link Pacific and their partner Business Assistance Fiji (BAF).

Con­tact BAF today to learn how your business can benefit from tailored support, advisory services, and ac­cess to finance through HFC Bank.

Interested in accessing support like Panapasa did?

Micro, small, and medium enter­prises (MSMEs) across Fiji can ex­plore similar opportunities through Business Link Pacific's Fiji partner, Business Assistance Fiji (BAF).

If your business needs help pre­paring financial documents, apply­ing for loans, or understanding how the HFC-BLP Collateral Support Scheme can work for you, BAF is here to help.