SUCCESSES IN ACCESSING EXPORT MARKETS FOR ROOT CROPS & LESSONS LEARNED Maria Lailai Moi Director, Ben’s Trading Ltd 11 July 2014
Brief history… • A sole trader in 1988 – 1 st product was ‘ yaqona ’ or kava – 1 st transport was bicycle • Named Ben’s Trading in 2002 – Acquired land & van • Registered as Ben’s Trading Ltd in 2006
Over the years…
01 TARO RECEIVED FROM ABOUT 200 WORKERS FARMERS CARTED TO BENS AND AGENTS WHO WASHED WITH TRADING SHED IN NAVUA FOR DIRECTLY BENEFROM HIGH PRESSURED PROCESSING. EMPLOYMENT WITH TARO IS CLEANED PIPE. THE COMPANY. PACKED TARO BAGS READY TO BE LOADED. TARO IS DRIED WORKERS PACKING TARO BEFORE PACKED. TARO LOADED INTO CONTAINER READY FOR EXPORTS.
PROUD TO TAKE FIJI TO THE WORLD BEN’S TRADING LIMITED HAS AGAIN ACHIEVED A MILESTONE AFTER SECURING THE SUPPLY TO CHAINS OF WOOLWORTHS IN QUEENSLAND AND COUNTDOWN SUPERMARKETS IN NEW ZEALAND. BAGS OF TARO FOR WOOLWORTHS AND COUNTDOWN SUPERMARKETS READY TO BE LOADED IN CONTAINERS FOR EXPORTS.
FACING THE CHALLENGES FROM THIS OLD PACK-SHED
FACING THE CHALLENGES - TO THIS
HOW DO WE STAY COMPETITIVE IN THE MARKETS • QUALITY • CONSISTENCY • AFFORDABLE PRICINGS
BASIC PRINCIPLES OF SUCCESSES IN EXPORTING ROOT CROPS 1 . QUALITY is the TOP priority 2. CONSISTENT supply 3. IMPROVE performance
CHALLENGES 1. Limited Cargo capacity of airlines especially Fiji Airways 2. Poor road conditions in rural areas 3. Lack of electricity supply in rural ports & wharf 4. Meeting the biosecurity requirements of importing countries – on Products 2. The requirement to Upgrade to meet requirement set by importing countries –
LESSONS LEARNED 1.Buy products at farm gate 2.Identify and engage progressive farmers 3.Train farmers on how to handle produce after harvest – Post Harvest Handlings 4. Train pack house staff on how to process produce efficiently 5.Biosecurity and food safety requirements 6. GOOD QUALITY CONTROLLING AT EVERY LEVEL -
ONE OF THE LESSONS LEARNED A FARMER IN ONE OF THE REMOTEST AREAS IN FIJI RECEIVING CASH FOR HIS PRODUCE AT HIS FARM GATE FROM BEN’S TRADING STAFF
CONCLUSION REAL COMMITMENTS
REAL COMMITMENTS
OUR QUALITY
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