Duo delights in roadside green coconut juice business
“We are satisfied when our customers come back to us and thank us that they have been healed from the coconut juice they bought from us.”
Friday 13 December 2024 | 08:41
Sailasa Kaitani and Peni Namulo selling green coconuts in Nadi. Photo: Mereleki Nai
Selling green coconuts on the roadside in Nadi is paying dividends for Peni Namulo and Sailasa Kaitani.
Mr Namulo, 37, said being roadside vendors for the past 14 years was not only a business, they had helped a lot of people remain healthy.
This is because most people buy green coconut juice.
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“Most of the customers are those who suffer from a type of non-communicable disease (NCD), or whose family members have been discharged from hospital,” Mr Namulo said.
“The coconuts in demand nowadays are those with very less meat. Most just want to drink coconut juice.
“Most people come with empty bottles to fill coconut juice. They always tell us that it’s their medicine.
“We noticed that most of our customers who come here are diabetics, have kidney problems, have been discharged from the hospital, or buy coconut juice for their family members who are sick.
“We are satisfied when our customers come back to us and thank us that they have been healed from the coconut juice they bought from us.”
Mr Namulo said when starting his coconut business, he had experienced the percentage of customers who come in daily.
“Tourists and Indo-Fijians are our main customers. Now more iTaukei are coming.”
He said the price of green coconuts ranged from $4 to $5 each.
The Ra native said green coconut sellers always get good deals from hotels and resorts in Nadi.
“We normally get $100 plus in a day, and we get good benefits when there are orders from hotels and resorts nearby.
“Sometimes there will be orders for 200 to 300 coconuts in a day. A week ago, just in one day, 1000 coconuts were ordered.”
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