Immersed in the sparkling blue waters the Solomon Islands is renowned for, fisheries business SolTuna is continuing to grow from strength-to-strength. The business showcases how sustainable, ethical, Pacific-produced goods can be successful in the international market, while also making an impact at home.
Established in 1973, SolTuna’s journey has been one of inspiration, evolution and expansion, demonstrating the limitless potential of small Pacific businesses to grow into prominent income-generators, and leaders in sustainable practices. SolTuna is a tuna-processing facility based in Noro, New Georgia, in the Solomon Islands’ Western Province. As the largest fishery in the country, it contributes significantly to the national Gross Domestic Product and is a major employer with almost 3,000 staff, two-thirds of whom are women.
SolTuna’s primary product is canned tuna, with the company also producing frozen loins, fish meal and fish oil. SolTuna processes all goods locally in the Solomon Islands, a unique attribute in an industry where goods are commonly processed offshore. In addition to compliance with regional policies, SolTuna has introduced further measures to ensure responsible use of resources. The company has attained certifications as a fair-trade and dolphin-safe business, emphasising the importance of traceability, to guarantee high-quality products harvested exclusively from the Solomon Islands’ oceans.
Further, SolTuna has also established its position as a changemaker in the gender-equality and inclusivity space. The company is a major employer of women (notably, who often occupy traditionally male-dominated roles) and has invested in research to better understand the barriers that inhibit women’s opportunities to engage and remain in the Solomon Islands’ workforce. Based on research findings, SolTuna has implemented a range of transformative mechanisms to support women’s employability, including financial literacy workshops, and internal policies to protect against harassment and domestic violence. In addition, SolTuna worked with the Australian Government to open a childcare centre at the cannery in 2021, as a solution to the high rates of women’s absenteeism from the workplace.
Currently, SolTuna exports to 13 countries, including Australia, while also functioning as an important contributor to domestic food supply. Pacific Trade Invest (PTI) Australia has worked with SolTuna for over eight years, supporting the company to build connections in the international market. In September 2023, PTI Australia promoted SolTuna’s premium tinned tuna products at the Fine Foods ‘Pacific Showcase’, a highlight of the southern hemisphere’s annual premier trade exhibition for food, hospitality and retail industries. Boasting 25,000 attendees, the exhibition proved an excellent opportunity for SolTuna to build further brand visibility and harness new buyer relationships in Australia and beyond.
PTI Australia General Manager of Exports, Jeremy Grennell, emphasised the exciting advances being made in the Pacific’s private sector, and the example set by companies such as SolTuna.
“Pacific businesses are demonstrating not only their capacity to produce high-quality, internationally sought-after goods, but also the scope of their ventures to model to the rest of the world the benefits to be gained from conducting business with a strong focus on sustainable development. As much as it’s an important, lucrative commercial venture, SolTuna is also a socioeconomic powerhouse, displaying the capacity of the private sector to shape local people’s lives through action on environmental sustainability and addressing gender inequity.”
Mark Gribble, SolTuna’s Export Markets Business Development Officer, asserts SolTuna’s commitment to furthering its impact in the region.
“SolTuna is immensely proud of not only our product, but also our processes. We are focused on implementing real, powerful strategies to progress towards brighter, more sustainable futures in the Pacific. We are grateful to work alongside PTI Australia, who share our focus on bettering local livelihoods in tangible and long-term ways.”
PTI Australia commends SolTuna on its inspiring achievements and looks forward to continuing to amplify the important work of Pacific businesses.
