Government revives cocoa industry

Government is reviving the cocoa industry because it can help Fiji’s economy, said the Minister for Agriculture, Vatimi Rayalu.

He is adamant that the revival could restore the glory it enjoyed 30 years ago which was raking in about $22 million annually to the Fijian economy.

He said this while visiting the Fiji Rice Limited (FRL) mill Dereketi, Macuata on Wednesday.

“This industry has the potential to grow back to its previous full potential,” Mr Rayalu said.

Visit to cocoa site 

He visited the Wasawasa Chocolate Factory in Savusavu early this week. He believes engagement with the company is important in reviving the industry.

“This company is one of the companies that our ministry wants to support,” Mr Rayalu said.

The visit allowed Mr Rayalu to understand why the company operated in a location such as Savusavu.

Mr Rayalu encouraged more individuals or companies to engage in commodities which have value addition.

When approached on where chocolate factories that processed dry cocoa beans were located in Fiji, he said they were concentrated on both Viti and Vanua Levu.

Secret revealed

He said the secret to success 30 years ago of the cocoa industry was the nucleus project and the pilot project for cocoa.

“This historical presence of the cocoa industry is something we can learn and revive for the betterment of all stakeholders involved,” he said.

The price decline of cocoa in the international market in the past has led to the previous Government’s moving away from this industry.

“This was a very big mistake by the previous Government, and this is a mistake that my ministry and our Government want to avoid.”

The revival is underway where the minister outlined efforts by the ministry in collaboration with farmers to increase cocoa production.

“Increasing cocoa production on the ground is on the right pathway and we want to support value addition of cocoa,” he said.

Mr Rayalu said the industry could ideally become a good income source for those farmers and communities involved.

The current cocoa industry is supporting to the needs of the local market and they had not engaged in exports at present.

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