Growing the banana export market in Samoa is one of the many priorities on the agenda of new Minster of Agriculture and Fisheries, Lopao’o Natanielu Mu’a which he disclosed during his reply to members questions on the Supplementary Budget 2017/18 this week.
He told the House that 20,000 banana planters are being brought in from South Africa to help boost the export market.
New Zealand is on Lopao’o’s radar for banana exports saying 60,000 bananas will meet requirements.
The minister also said that taro continues to be exported to New Zealand, Australia and USA but some markets are harder to deal with particularly the stringent quarantine measures.
Australia only accepts packaged, scraped and cleaned frozen taro so it makes it costly for exporters.
Australia only accepts packaged, scraped and cleaned frozen taro so it makes it costly for exporters.
American Samoa continues to ban taro exports from Samoa but is expected to lift it by March.
