FIJI has sent a second pilot consignment of export-quality agricultural produce to the Republic of Naoero, as demand grows for fresh food in the Northern Pacific.
The consignment departed Nadi Airport last night on a Nauru Airlines flight, less than a week after the first consignment.
Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF) Secretary General Arpana Pratap said the swift preparation of the second shipment demonstrated both the demand for fresh produce in the Northern Pacific and Fiji’s ability to meet it.
“It is encouraging to see that we are able to send the second consignment within a week,” Pratap said.
“This demonstrates the strong demand for fresh agricultural produce in the Northern Pacific and highlights Fiji’s potential to serve this market through its fertile land and productive farming sector.”
Assistant Minister for the Office of the Prime Minister Sakiusa Tubuna was at the processing site in Nadi to witness preparations for the consignment.
Pratap said Tubuna’s presence was a positive indication that the initiative was on the right track, adding that he had been supportive of the PIDF and the Pacific Fresh AirLink (PFAL) initiative.
The initiative aims to strengthen food security for families, support Fijian farmers by providing a market for their produce and improve access to fresh and nutritious food in Pacific communities.
“Through this collaboration with New Valley Processors (Fiji) Limited (NVPL), we are delivering quality agricultural produce to Naoero while supporting Fiji’s economic development,” Pratap said.
NVPL Chairman Vinesh Rai said a reliable and consistent supply of agricultural produce was critical as the company continued to grow its food processing operations in Sabeto, Nadi.
“We value our partnership with the PIDF and look forward to strengthening this collaboration as it continues to create opportunities for the export of Fijian agricultural produce to markets across the Pacific,” Rai said.
Rai said the initiative could support Pacific island countries facing challenges in agricultural production because of limited fertile land.
“Through this initiative with the PIDF, we can support these communities by providing access to fresh, nutritious produce while creating new market opportunities for Fijian farmers and exporters,” he said.
“Our farmers have remained committed and consistent in supplying quality produce, which has been crucial in meeting the requirements for this second consignment,” Rai said.
A Biosecurity Authority of Fiji official conducted the necessary inspections before the consignment was loaded onto the Nauru Airlines flight.
The supply of agricultural produce from Fiji to Naoero was made possible through a Memorandum of Understanding partnership between the PIDF and NVPL, signed on July 23, 2026.
Since the signing, the two organisations have worked closely to coordinate and mobilise agricultural produce from Fiji for export to Naoero.
The shipments are part of the PFAL initiative under the Food and Nutrition Security project coordinated by the PIDF. The initiative was set up to support exports of fresh agricultural produce from Fijian farmers to regional markets, creating new economic opportunities for local producers while improving access to fresh and nutritious food in Pacific communities.
