Agricultural Exports

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Solomon Islands—Agricultural exports hold potential for Pacific island Countries.
Photographer: Rob Maccoll

Increased agricultural production is possible if infrastructure and security are in place. After years of conflict, Bougainville in PNG and Solomon Islands are now both enjoying record levels of cocoa production. In contrast coffee production in the Highlands of PNG is falling because washed-out roads and poor law and order make it much harder for Highland growers to get their produce to markets. Quarantine restrictions are another obstacle for Pacific agricultural exports. Improving quarantine procedures for taro for example could benefit 25,000 small farmers across three Pacific island countries and increase export earnings by about US$13 million annually.