Caption: The Manager for Spices of Fiji Ltd George Hazelman (left) with Mr Waibuta.Photo:SUPPLIED.
The Spices of Fiji Limited, in partnership with the Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access (PHAMA) today launched two new products- Vanilla paste and Cinnamon paste at their Wainadoi Farm in Navua.
Chief Guest at the launch was the Ministry of Agriculture acting permanent secretary Uraia Waibuta who said that strong interest shown in both products is exciting news for local growers and suppliers of the vanilla beans and dried cinnamon as well as seaweed that are harvested to produce the natural thickener in the pastes.
“Consumer taste testing showed that the new vanilla bean paste was preferred over two commercially available products. The cinnamon paste is the first commercially available form of this popular spice and is anticipated to increase the culinary uses from the normal powdered form.
“Tapping into the export market as well as meeting the demand from the local market also mean more opportunities for the women growers and their families across Fiji,” Mr Waibuta said.
There are approximately 170 vanilla growers in Viti Levu, Vanua Levu and the Eastern Division.
“Spices of Fiji Ltd has 30 of these growers but current active suppliers are all located in the Province of Ra and many of these are rural women.”
The Fiji Market Access Working Group (MAWG) at their 6th meeting in June 2012, identified, prioritised and approved an activity to develop shelf-stable vanilla paste and cinnamon paste for human consumption. This work was carried out by food scientists at the University of the South Pacific and was completed in May 2014.
Mr Waibuta acknowledged PHAMA’s ongoing support in forging a partnership between Government and the private sector to help manage market access issues.
“The Fijian Government recognises the potential and opportunity that PHAMA provides to Fiji. Through the establishment of the MAWG, PHAMA has helped strengthen export pathways for papaya and eggplant from Fiji, while new markets such as the export of fresh ginger from Fiji to Australia have opened up.
“There are works in progress for more new products of papaya and breadfruit to the United States of America, ‘Wi’ to New Zealand and frozen vegetables to Papua New Guinea,” he said.
“I commend your hard work over the last three years, much of which has been behind the scenes in supporting the Ministry of Agriculture, farmers, industries, exporters, Biosecurity Authority of Fiji and other stakeholders in the export industry. Without your support and contributions we would have had difficulty getting to where we are today.”
He also thanked the University of the South Pacific for their support in helping Fiji develop exports of primary sector products, including agricultural, horticultural, forest and fish products.
Spices of Fiji Ltd is the oldest of its kind in Fiji and is an organic certified farm. It is a home to the cottage-factory that yields a range of products from powdered pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom, curry powder, masala, turmeric, ginger and vanilla.
Both vanilla and cinnamon paste will be available in the local supermarkets from next year.
The Spices of Fiji Limited, in partnership with the Pacific Horticultural and Agricultural Market Access (PHAMA) today launched two new products- Vanilla paste and Cinnamon paste at their Wainadoi Farm in Navua.
Chief Guest at the launch was the Ministry of Agriculture acting permanent secretary Uraia Waibuta who said that strong interest shown in both products is exciting news for local growers and suppliers of the vanilla beans and dried cinnamon as well as seaweed that are harvested to produce the natural thickener in the pastes.
“Consumer taste testing showed that the new vanilla bean paste was preferred over two commercially available products. The cinnamon paste is the first commercially available form of this popular spice and is anticipated to increase the culinary uses from the normal powdered form.
“Tapping into the export market as well as meeting the demand from the local market also mean more opportunities for the women growers and their families across Fiji,” Mr Waibuta said.
There are approximately 170 vanilla growers in Viti Levu, Vanua Levu and the Eastern Division.
“Spices of Fiji Ltd has 30 of these growers but current active suppliers are all located in the Province of Ra and many of these are rural women.”
The Fiji Market Access Working Group (MAWG) at their 6th meeting in June 2012, identified, prioritised and approved an activity to develop shelf-stable vanilla paste and cinnamon paste for human consumption. This work was carried out by food scientists at the University of the South Pacific and was completed in May 2014.
Mr Waibuta acknowledged PHAMA’s ongoing support in forging a partnership between Government and the private sector to help manage market access issues.
“The Fijian Government recognises the potential and opportunity that PHAMA provides to Fiji. Through the establishment of the MAWG, PHAMA has helped strengthen export pathways for papaya and eggplant from Fiji, while new markets such as the export of fresh ginger from Fiji to Australia have opened up.
“There are works in progress for more new products of papaya and breadfruit to the United States of America, ‘Wi’ to New Zealand and frozen vegetables to Papua New Guinea,” he said.
“I commend your hard work over the last three years, much of which has been behind the scenes in supporting the Ministry of Agriculture, farmers, industries, exporters, Biosecurity Authority of Fiji and other stakeholders in the export industry. Without your support and contributions we would have had difficulty getting to where we are today.”
He also thanked the University of the South Pacific for their support in helping Fiji develop exports of primary sector products, including agricultural, horticultural, forest and fish products.
Spices of Fiji Ltd is the oldest of its kind in Fiji and is an organic certified farm. It is a home to the cottage-factory that yields a range of products from powdered pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom, curry powder, masala, turmeric, ginger and vanilla.
Both vanilla and cinnamon paste will be available in the local supermarkets from next year.
DEPTFO