PGR News from the Pacific

Posted 8:36 PM by Luigi

More on Fiji breadfruit industry

Fiji Times, Wednesday, 6 April 2005

THE increasing demand for breadfruit in overseas markets has forced the Agriculture Ministry and the Natures Way Cooperatives and similar stakeholders to look at ways to produce quality fruit.

Fiji Breadfruit Industry Development Project Coordinator Andrew McGregor said breadfruit has a large market potential with the Pacific Islanders living in New Zealand. Last year Fiji exported 10.5 tonnes of breadfruit, which was up to 35 percent from the 6.8 tonnes exported in 2003.

"This year the forecast for breadfruit exports is between 20-25 tonnes," said Mr McGregor. In its efforts to improve the quality of the fruit, the Research Division of the ministry has begun looking into ways of raising seedlings through different ways of raisings seedlings through different propagation techniques like marcotting, root cuttings and root suckers.

"Proper ways of fruit harvesting, sap management and packaging can maintain the quality of breadfruit and also improve its shelf life," said Post Harvest Handling Specialist Grantley Chaplin.

The two main breadfruit varieties that are being exported are Uto Dina and Bale Kana. He said the fruits kept on respiring even after harvesting and that led to the softening and collapsing of the cartons in which they are packed in.

A Horticultural Information and Training Specialist Alan Harre said the importers want the packaging of same size fruits. "Importers want fruits to be graded by sizes and varieties while packaging to improve presentation and sales," Mr Harre said.

Officers from the Agriculture Ministry are working closely with exporters in supervising the spraying of breadfruit trees to control pests. Agriculture Extension officers are also present during harvesting time to avoid any unsprayed breadfruits from being harvested.

Major exporters of breadfruits are National Exports, Mahen Exports, Ram's Valley Fresh, Maqere Exports and Green Valley Fresh. National Exports packs the commodity and exports it to the United States of America.



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DIVA-GIS	Tuesday, April 05, 2005 Posted 8:36 PM by Luigi More on Fiji breadfruit industry Fiji Times, Wednesday, 6 April 2005 THE increasing demand for breadfruit in overseas markets has forced the Agriculture Ministry and the Natures Way Cooperatives and similar stakeholders to look at ways to produce quality fruit. Fiji Breadfruit Industry Development Project Coordinator Andrew McGregor said breadfruit has a large market potential with the Pacific Islanders living in New Zealand. Last year Fiji exported 10.5 tonnes of breadfruit, which was up to 35 percent from the 6.8 tonnes exported in 2003. "This year the forecast for breadfruit exports is between 20-25 tonnes," said Mr McGregor. In its efforts to improve the quality of the fruit, the Research Division of the ministry has begun looking into ways of raising seedlings through different ways of raisings seedlings through different propagation techniques like marcotting, root cuttings and root suckers. "Proper ways of fruit harvesting, sap management and packaging can maintain the quality of breadfruit and also improve its shelf life," said Post Harvest Handling Specialist Grantley Chaplin. The two main breadfruit varieties that are being exported are Uto Dina and Bale Kana. He said the fruits kept on respiring even after harvesting and that led to the softening and collapsing of the cartons in which they are packed in. A Horticultural Information and Training Specialist Alan Harre said the importers want the packaging of same size fruits. "Importers want fruits to be graded by sizes and varieties while packaging to improve presentation and sales," Mr Harre said. Officers from the Agriculture Ministry are working closely with exporters in supervising the spraying of breadfruit trees to control pests. Agriculture Extension officers are also present during harvesting time to avoid any unsprayed breadfruits from being harvested. Major exporters of breadfruits are National Exports, Mahen Exports, Ram's Valley Fresh, Maqere Exports and Green Valley Fresh. National Exports packs the commodity and exports it to the United States of America. * Comments: Post a Comment	Archive October 2002 November 2002 December 2002 January 2003 February 2003 March 2003 April 2003 May 2003 June 2003 July 2003 August 2003 September 2003 October 2003 November 2003 December 2003 January 2004 February 2004 March 2004 April 2004 May 2004 June 2004 July 2004 August 2004 September 2004 October 2004 November 2004 December 2004 January 2005 February 2005 March 2005 April 2005 May 2005 June 2005 July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005 December 2005 January 2006 February 2006 March 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006 July 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 December 2006 January 2007 February 2007 March 2007 April 2007 May 2007 June 2007 July 2007 August 2007 September 2007 October 2007 November 2007 December 2007 January 2008 February 2008 March 2008 April 2008 May 2008 June 2008 July 2008 August 2008 September 2008 October 2008 November 2008 December 2008 January 2009 February 2009 March 2009 April 2009 May 2009 June 2009 July 2009 August 2009 September 2009 October 2009 November 2009 January 2010 RSS Feed Alternative feed Contact Tevita Something new: Agrobiodiversity Weblog: For discussions of conservation and sustainable use of the genetic resources of crops, livestock and their wild relatives. 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