FRESH and tasty pineapples from Solomon Islands will make their way to markets in Australia as of next year.
That’s according to the Permanent Secretary (PS) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) Dr Samson Viulu said.
Dr Viulu revealed to the local media that the Australian High Commission is urging MAL to export fresh pineapples to Australian markets as of 2025.
He said Australians have visited other Pacific Island countries but found Solomon Islands, pineapples, particularly those from Malaita, to be the tastiest and hence pineapple exportation is also a potential strength of Malaita.
Dr Viulu said, during the 17th Pacific Games in Honiara, MAL purchased two fumigator machines to treat fresh pineapples of harmful microorganisms for exportation.
He said, these two machines arrived in Honiara but are still at the Point Cruz Port as there is no proper house to install them.
“We have put out a public tender for contractors to submit applications to construct two fumigator chambers. Applications are due on 5 November 2024 and when we have selected a contractor, they will install the two fumigators at the MAL area in Henderson.
“Once that is done successfully, hopefully by third quarter of next year, exportation of fresh Solomon Islands pineapples to Australia will start,” Dr Viulu added.
He said the pineapples will likely be transported and exported in crates unpeeled.
Dr Viulu added the pineapples will be transported from Malaita to Honiara in crates where they will be placed upside down – crown side facing the bottom – to prevent damages.
“Once they arrive in Honiara, they will go into the fumigation chambers and will be treated with some chemical vapor to kill insects.
“After that, they will be packed in crates again for export. The crates will go right across different parts of Australia,” he said.
Dr Viulu added that one good thing about Australia is that they have an increasing population of Pacific Islanders under the Labor Mobility Scheme who want to eat more island food and so there is a market for tropical fruits and crops there.
He said in terms of quantity, MAL wants to trial run with 15 tonnes of pineapples per month and see how it goes.
“We’ll go for the export of fresh pineapples first. Once we see the interest pick up and the pineapple production increases and is sustainable, then we’ll go into bulk processing for exportation.
“Securing overseas markets for our agricultural products is an easy thing to do but maintaining the supply is the difficult part. It’s difficult because our supplies are not consistent.
“If production is sustainable, we might establish a pineapple factory in Bonale, in West Kwaio,” Dr Viulu said.
Going forward, Dr Viulu said MAL will assist private sectors, especially with the provision of transport and freight subsidies to farmers.
By AGNES MENANOPO
Solomon Star, Honiara
