COCOA IN SAMOA

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 254, 21 July 1920, Page 7

COCOA IN SAMOA

A GROWING INDUSTRY. . Tho growing of coooa in Samoa is mentioned in tho report of the Islands Trado Commission. Cocoa of good, quality is being produced in TJpolu nnd Bavaii, and exports have grown from 408 tons, valued at .£27,753,. in 1910 to 820 tons, valued nt .£Bl,llO, in 1911). Highwater mark in this product was reacted in 1917, when 1207 tons were exported, at a value of £69,5-19. Owing to the riso in tho market price, and notwithstanding the shortago in the output, the price obtained last year was .£11,570 greater than that obtained in 1917. The falling-off in the total quantity produced last year as compared .with 1917 way be put down entirely'; to the shortage of labour; the labour required for cocoa production per acre is much greater than that required for copra. "The demand for cocoa beans in New Zealand is comparatively small," adds tho report, "and Samoan merchants complain that New Zealand buyers purchase their requirements from hand to mouth They cable their orders for 8 or 10 tons, and are disappointed if it is not shipped by thlo first steamer. New Zealand users also demand that the cocoa beans must be washed before shipment. Owing to the shortage of labour in Samoa this is at present difficult to do. and as a consequence shippers prefer to send the unwashed product to Australia, even though the market price is lower than it is in New Zealand."