Thursday, April 18, 2013

Vanuatu: COPSL Announce Price Premium for Organic Copra



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
·         Wayne Webb, COPSL: +678 7755121; waynew@copsl.com.au
·         Norah Rihai, Vanuatu Agriculture College: +678 775 8542; nrhbulu@gmail.com
Australia
·         Bernie Glaser, COPSL: +61 (0)411 618 222; bernieg@glaser.com.au
·         Andreas Lombardozzi: +61 412 611 877; andreas@africanpacific.com