Main Niue export threatened

Mana (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 3, 4 August 1977, Page 7

Main Niue export threatened

One of Niue’s main exports to New Zealand is threatened unless it can double production over the next year. A New Zealand company wmch is a major buyer of Niuean passionfruit has warned that it would have to turn elsewhere for its passionfruit or stop using the fruit in its products, if Niue can’t meet the growing demand for the fruit.

Other New Zealand buyers are in a similar position and one buyer has already cancelled his usual order. But the New Zealand market does not really wish to look elsewhere for its supply as Niuean passionfruit is valued for it’s higher juice content and stronger flavour. Neither does it wish to stop using passionfruit as a topping for flavouring in its products as these products have one of the widest ranges of consumer acceptance of all the flavoured products manufactured.

With improved management techniques Niue’s passionfruit production could increase by 200% says a DSIR scientist.

Dr Murray Hopping studied and experimented with Niue’s passionfruit whilst on the island recently and has advised the Niue government that production could be lifted from the present 75 tonnes to 300 tonnes in 1978.

efforts to meet the deadline they have set for themselves and it is hoped that our buyers here in New Zealand will continue to buy Niue’s passionfruit until such time Niue is able to meet their demands in full.

The critical export situation prompted the Niue government to call an emergency meeting of. it’s resource personnel which resulted in the formation of a “Task Force” headed by the Secretary to the Government.

The Task Force will give every assistance to the Niue Development Board in launching a gigantic effort to increase passionfruit production by at least 100% within the next eighteen months.

The Task Force aims to reach this target by following a two fold plan. Part one of this plan is to maximise the production of the existing fifty-odd acres by improving management techniques. Part two of the plan is to plant a further 100 acres of limes. The Task Force is to ensure the land is acquired and planted within the next six months. It is confident that the deadline can be met. The idea of the two fold plan is for part one to cater for the immediate needs of the New Zealand market, and part two to be a logical expansion to fulfill the needs of the ever-growing New Zealand market. With the concerted efforts of the Niue Development Board aided by the Task Force, Niue should not only be able to meet the demand of the passionfruit buyers here in New Zealand, which for Niue would mean a substantial increase export revenue, but may even be able to consider further markets outside N.Z.

Mana takes this opportunity to wish Niue and its Task Force all the best in their