Fiji has completed its first commercial trial shipment of pineapples to New Zealand, sending three tonnes of Ripley Queen fruit earlier this month as part of the Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways' Agriculture Trade and Marketing Research Programme.
Minister Tomasi Tunabuna said the shipment on November 5 resulted from cooperation between the Ministry, Biosecurity Fiji, Pacific Trade Invest New Zealand, freight forwarders, Fiji Airways, local exporters, and pineapple growers in the Western Division. He said the trial demonstrated what can be achieved when government, industry partners, and communities work together. According to the Minister, New Zealand consumers have responded positively to the Ripley Queen pineapples due to their sweetness, flavour, and shelf life.
Tunabuna said the export trial was enabled by connections made at the first National Agriculture Mini Trade Forum, which brought together agencies and development partners from Fiji and New Zealand. He added that the shipment reflects Fiji's developing capacity to meet international standards, including biosecurity requirements for fresh fruit.
The Ministry plans to monitor the product's market performance in New Zealand and continue supporting growers and exporters involved in the programme. Tunabuna also encouraged Fijians living in New Zealand to support the fruit and help raise awareness of Fiji's fresh produce in export markets.
Source: FBC News
