Copra prices dive
p. 36 · Read in the full issue
Tonga
TONGA has abandoned exporting copra due to poor world prices. Many farmers have quit the copra business, and the Tonga Commodities Board is now process ing copra locally and exporting only coconut oil, mostly to Australia and New Zealand. In six months to May, the price for A grade copra dropped from Ts2so (US$2O4) to Ts2oo. The board attributes the continuing decline to the increasing preference for vegetable oils.
U.S. buys 3 tuna boats THE United States Agency for Inter national Development(USAlD) will pro vide T 52.9 million (U 552.37 million) to allow Tonga to buy three long-line tuna boats and train the crews. Experts will also assess Tonga’s fish stock and establish a sustainable yield rate.
Big plans for pumpkins PUMPKIN producers in Tonga are plan ning to export more than 6000 tonnes of the vegetable to Japan this year nearly twice the T 52.4 million worth shipped out last season. Two growers’ groups are involved, and planting has been extended to ensure that a good crop is available. The success of the 1989 season saw the number of pumpkin growers increase from 165 to 385.
Vanilla boom expected VAVA’U growers are expecting a record vanilla harvest this year with a total crop estimated at 45 tonnes, worth nearly Tss million (US$4.OB million). At least 1000 growers are involved in the crop on the island and 510 hectares has been planted.