MEDIA RELEASE
16th April 2013 – For immediate release
Vanuatu: COPSL Announce Price Premium for Organic
Copra
Coconut Oil Production Santo Ltd (COPSL) has announced a
price premium of up to 5000 vatu per metric tonne of high-quality certified
organic copra.
This is the first time in Vanuatu’s long-standing history of
copra production that a price premium for organic product has been offered.
Pilot production of organic crude coconut oil and organic
copra meal will soon take place, destined for EU and Australian markets
respectively.
Current organic copra suppliers are David Russet’s PRV
Norsup and Bushman’s Bay plantations and the South Santo-based SANMA Community
Coconuts group, supported by World Vision Vanuatu.
David Russet says ‘This is another milestone for Vanuatu and
one of its oldest commodities; successive governments should promote the
re-plantation of coconut trees as this commodity will remain one of the major
ones for many years to come’.
Mackenzie Vagaha of World Vision, working with the SANMA
communities, says ‘Farmers continue to improve the output capacity and quality
of copra by reviewing processes to improve efficiency. Price
advantage for farmers in this difficult world market continues to reinforce the
organic message’.
As part of the Vanuatu Sustainable Agri-Business Initiative,
COPSL, PRV and the SANMA Communities applied for organic certification in 2012
and have recently received international organic status through Australian
Certified Organic.
The organic certification process has been strongly
supported by the Vanuatu Agriculture College, with staff providing training on
Internal Control Systems and organic procedures.
Organic copra supply is anticipated to be around 1250 mt in
2013, which could increase earnings to copra producers by as much as 6 250 000
vatu per annum.
Pilot exports to EU and Australia will give a good
indication of the future potential for organic coconut oil and copra
meal.
Bernie Glaser, Chairman of COPSL, says ‘Export earnings for
Vanuatu could potentially increase by up to 13 500 000 vatu through this
organic initiative’.
Success with the pilot could lead to a significant increase
in demand for organic copra and a subsequent expansion of organic certification
across the islands of Vanuatu.
Wayne Webb, Director of COPSL, says ‘we invite farmers from
all islands to become certified in order to meet this demand, and encourage
interested growers to contact VAC for support and information on
organics’.
Potential also exists for integrated organic coconut and
cattle production with prospective exports of organic beef to Australia, the
Middle East and Asia.
The project is grateful for the support of all stakeholders,
especially the current Prime Minister’s Office, in supporting farmer-focused
initiatives to boost livelihoods of coconut producers in Vanuatu.
Growers interested in organic certification are invited to
contact Norah Rihai at the Vanuatu Agriculture College on 775 8542 for
information and support.
Media Contacts:
Vanuatu
Australia
