The Enhanced Pacific Market Access Partnership (EPMAP) programme, under the management of the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), New Zealand, is dedicated to exploring opportunities and pathways to import fresh produce into New Zealand. The programme is mainly focused on ensuring a holistic system to enable sustained trade of fresh fruit, vegetables, cut flowers and foliage between selected Pacific Island Countries and New Zealand.
Through our partnership with MPI, PTI New Zealand brings the realities of the Pacific fresh produce supply chain to the forefront, to drive change that will develop a market-driven approach.
What better way to feature such realities and to help bridge the gap between supply and demand than through a dedicated forum, such as the Mini Trade Forum series, the second of which was held in Tonga recently, during the Pacific Week of Agriculture and Forestry, and hosted by the Tongan Government.
PTI New Zealand worked hand in hand with MPI to deliver the two-day Mini Trade Forum in May. The event attracted over 70 participants from the agricultural and private sectors, government officials, development partners, and local agencies supporting communities in agriculture. The audience received valuable insights into the New Zealand fresh produce market from New Zealand importers, who stressed the importance of aligning exports with New Zealand buyer requirements by adopting a market-driven approach.
Some of the key messages included:
- The need for suppliers to focus on producing high-quality products for the export market, as quality will build the reputation of a country as a serious supplier;
- Accountability through traceability and meeting certified food safety requirements;
- That most Tier one customers will decline Pacific produce if there is no food safety assurance,
- That the export market should drive production at the source.
PTI New Zealand was represented by Trade Commissioner Glynis Miller and Trade Team member Shahban Ali.
In the field
The Mini Trade Forum included site visits to farms in and around Tongatapu, to the government packhouse facility established in Tongatapu, and a very interesting stay in Vava’u to visit pineapple farms. Thanks to the team from Biosecurity Tonga and MPI New Zealand, participants were able to visit several farms and had interesting dialogues with farmers, exporters and agribusinesses. With the necessary support systems in place, Tonga has the potential to export fresh pineapples to New Zealand.
In Tongatapu, the team visited
Lapaha Government Packhouse
A newly developed facility established with aid from the New Zealand Government, the packhouse is an important step for farmers to uplift Tonga’s post-harvest handling and export readiness. This is a critical step in ensuring product quality and compliance with international standards.
Lotopoha Trading (under construction)
This is a promising private sector initiative. Once operational, the packhouse will expand Tonga’s capacity to meet export demand. Private investment initiatives such as this are bound to give confidence to the sector.
Nishi Trading Packhouse, Coolstore & Processing Facility
A stand-out example of a vertically integrated agribusiness, Nishi’s model demonstrates how Pacific exporters can meet international expectations through innovation, traceability and value-added processing.
Toloa Plantation
A model of food security and local supply chain resilience, the plantation supports institutional food needs while showcasing the diversity of Tonga’s fresh produce – from root crops to leafy greens and tropical fruits.
Watermelon and Root Crop Farmers
From ’Utulau to Hahake, the team met with growers of fresh produce, most of whom are main suppliers to the local markets while others are exporting to New Zealand and Australia, mostly to the informal markets there. It was interesting to see the practice of planting kumara to replenish soil before replanting taro and cassava, which reflected a strong understanding of sustainable practices.
The field experiences reaffirmed that Tonga has the land and climate for producing high-demand crops year round; a network of packhouses and cool storage capable of supporting export logistics; producers eager to meet market standards – with the right support and market access; and a clear need for stronger regulatory frameworks to protect and elevate national export reputation.
As Minister for Trade and Economic Development, the Hon. Kapelieli Lanumata said in his opening statement, “Trade is more than transactions – it’s about relationships, trust and shared goals”.
