A local coffee company birthed and established two years ago to provide customers with the finest roasted coffee in Fiji is slowly making its way into the international export market.
At a time when the global economy was crippled by the CO- VID-19 pandemic, South Pacific Coffee Company faced the challenge head-on and established its name in the local market with an aim to not only assist villagers in the highlands of Navosa to earn some income, but rather made it known that the coffee market is an upright investment here in Fiji.
Company sales director Maikeli Dennis said most people did not realise that coffee grows wildly locally and while plans are heading in the right away in terms of other export markets opening up, the company has also expanded its local source to farmers in Ra, Sabeto and Taveuni in Vanua Levu.
“So we sourced directly from the farmers right now, majority of that was coming out of villages in Navosa and we will be harvesting out of Sabeto and Nausori Highlands soon and we’ve raked in farmers from other parts of the county too,” Mr Dennis indicated.
“This year we started exporting green beans to the US. Australia and New Zealand will begin next year.”
A few nations in the Pacific region have been making it big in the coffee business for years and Mr Dennis believed it was time for Fiji to tap into the sector because coffee has been growing wildly for years, but the market has not been tapped into.
The export trade is new for the two-year-old business located on Nadi Back Rd, but ever since its establishment, the company has since supplied raw coffee products and beans to major coffee shops in Suva and have also installed their coffee dispensing machines in major local tourism properties.
In Nadi Back Rd is where the main coffee processing works is done particularly roasting is carried out particularly once a week.
Last week, the management and staff of the company made their presence known at the 2022 HOTEC Tradeshow.
Mr Dennis said getting out of COVID-19 was a breath of fresh air for the company and they looked forward to securing partnerships with many other local farmers who would be able to supply coffee directly to them during harvesting seasons.
“So now it’s just going to be a matter of making sure that we can continue to meet the demand from local markets as well as the export market which is growing.
“As we move into export, we just want to make sure that we continue to meet the supply of our customers and make sure the product offered is up to par.”
Mr Dennis explained they have received messages from local clients about whether they have a cafe available. He said they also were considering an increase in production to meet the demand of local coffee lovers and the many tourists visiting Fiji.
As of present, SPCC works closely with 50 to 70 families in the highlands of Navosa where they source their coffee from.
While they expect to grow their number of farmers in the near future, Mr Dennis mentioned that they would ensure they are offered the right support, the right education and the need of their villages were also met.
Growing the export market is vital for the company and one of the key areas the management has worked on to ensure the export market is sustained is ensuring farmers’ access roads and wages are well established.
Mr Dennis said they worked closely with around 80 per cent of women who do the picking during harvesting season.
“Obviously we want to be promoting our products, providing but it’s also getting it right, finding the right people to work with and making sure that we’ve got that back end from not just consumers, but culture.
“Coffee can be accessible. That’s important. We need people to realise the value which is highest in the world and in getting the right people.
“The main goal for us has also been sort of making connections with obviously the tourism industry, the local market and of course the international export market.”
