Niue
taro is the best in the Pacific; true or false? Not trying to be bias or
anything but it is without doubt the best you can ever find in the Pacific
region. With its uniqueness taste and texture, it leaves you wanting more and
more. They are back on the market shelves again; all peeled, packaged, labelled
and ready for consumption. “I don’t think
it’s any secret that the Niue taros are amongst the, if not the best taro in
the Pacific. We are trying to use that competitive advantage to take some taro
out of here” – Brendon Pasisi.
A new idea put to action
The
Niue taro once upon a time was sitting on the Auckland fruits and vegetables
shelves in New Zealand a few years back, but unfortunately it was not
successful due to some technical issues. Nevertheless, this initiative was
awoken again by local farmers Bill Motufoou and John Tiakia who are members of
the Niue Growers Association, to look into exporting Niue taro to New Zealand
again.
Over
the years the Niue taro was always exporting fresh and unpeeled taros, so the
two farmers came up with a more effective way for people to buy the taro fast.
And this is having the taros peeled, packaged, labelled, frozen and exported;
making the Niue taro readily available for everyone.
In
most countries there would be competition between farmers. But in this case,
Bill and John are working together with the farmers to achieve the supply's
that can meet the overseas market demands.
Exporting and Marketing
strategies
Exporting is one thing,
getting the customers to buy the product is another.
Since taro's been peeled
and well packed now, Bill and John received assistance from NOEA (Niue Organic Export
Association), who also deals with the export of conventional products, and DAFF
(Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) to find ways to improve
products to be marketed ready for New Zealand. Economist and Marketing officer
of DAFF, Jamal Talagi, who is also coordinating NOEA says that “product
development at this level in government is relatively new and is explored more
now with the establishment of the new Test Kitchen (also known as the
Agro-Processing Facility). Some of the key things missing in the production line
for export products is sourcing the appropriate packaging for products and the
development of labels that are acceptable in markets abroad”.
Bill and John's product is
called “Talo Niue” which will be registered in New Zealand as a product
belonging to Niue. The initial costs for the labels and packaging for Talo Niue
product was covered under the Product Development Budget of Government, which
is administered by DAFF.
Talo Niue – a positive outlook for Niue
Local farmer Bill mentioned that the production level
is still at a small scale production, taking one step at a time. Niuean's
residing in New Zealand along with other Pacific islanders that love the Niue
taro are happy that Niuean grown taro is available again in Auckland.
Significant to the Taro Business is the dwindling
number growers who are mostly the aging population. It is a concern for the
people of Niue that more and more young people are seeking white collar jobs
over agricultural opportunities. For
more information, please contact Shop Exports New Zealand, who act as Bill and John’s
agents overseas that deal with the export, handling and delivery process. Fresh
and Frozen Taro go out of Niue via air freight every week.
Photo Credit: Punu Vakaafi (label designer)
Blogpost by Tom-Vaitolo Vaha, Livestock Officer,
Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
Edited by Jamal Talagi, Economic and Marketing Officer,
Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
