By RODRICK DESURI
Auki
While commodity prices for cocoa and copra is affecting many local buyers in the country, one local buyer in Auki has taken the risk to maintain services for its customers.
One of the common buyers of cocoa and copra in Malaita Province, the Alisuri Sustainable Livelihood Association (ASLA), continues to buy cocoa despite the price drop.
ASLA has dropped copra and continues to buy cocoa with the aim to serve its rural customers and keep the association running.
In an interview, Elton Etega, manager of ASLA, said the drop in the prices of cocoa and copra is not new as it is a normal season for any business.
He explained that the reason they have decided to continue is to maintain their business operations.
“Yes, the prices of cocoa and copra have affected us buyers, but the people most impacted by this are the rural farmers.
“So, we have stopped buying copra and continue buying cocoa. This is to maintain and ensure our business is ongoing and serving our members and customers,” he said.
He said that since it affects them, they are not focusing on gaining profit but on providing services.
“We don’t think much about gaining profit. We just make sure that our business is running and serving our rural people. Because once we close, it will really affect our struggling rural farmers. So, we are just flexible with them,” he said.
ASLA is currently buying cocoa at SBD$10.00 per kilogram for its customers.
Meanwhile, the paper reached out to Aekema, who runs a few commodities in Auki, but was unable to connect.
According to prices posted outside Aekema’s shed, $3.00 is the buying price for copra per kilogram and $8.00 for cocoa per kilogram.
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