taro exports

Samoa finalises discussions on resumption of taro exports to Australia

Caretaker Minister of Agriculture Lopao’o Natanielu Mua informed taro farmers that talks between Samoan and Australian officials have progressed considerably.

He reassured farmers that the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is in the final stages of reviewing and finalizing the export pathway for fresh taro with the Australian Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment.

"We are looking at December this year, when the exportation of our fresh taro to Australia will resume again," said Lopao’o according to a Savali newspaper report .

American Samoa eyed as gateway for Samoa export to US

Filifaatali recently accompanied Samoan officials from the Western United States Agriculture Trade Association on visits to large commercial plantations on Upolu and to the Fugalei market.

He said American Samoa's quota free status for exports to the US offered opportunities for crops like taro from Samoa to be sent to the US, using Pago Pago as a gateway.

He also said American Samoa didn't have the land resources of Samoa to grow the quantity of taro that would make such a venture commercially viable.

Samoa rejects Am Samoa's taro export conditions

Agriculture minister Lopao'o Natanielu Mua said the government welcomed the territory's decision to lift an export ban, but the conditions demanded of exporters are unnecessary.

The conditions require exporters to obtain a permit 15-days before shipping.

Lopao'o said he had heard deep reservations about Pago Pago's conditions, especially from exporters themselves.

He said he planned to meet with exporters to discuss the situation, adding he expected further negotiations with American Samoan officials.

     

Farmers only to export taro from Samoa to American Samoa

American Samoa's director of agriculture Filifa'atali Mike Fuiava said he has met with counterparts in Samoa to explain the new rules, but needed more time to explain the requirements to others in the territory.

He said only then, the ban on taro from Samoa can be lifted.

The director said the new conditions are precautionary measures to assure food safety.

RNZI reports the ban began in May due to an unidentified disease that was causing taro roots to rot before they mature.

Samoa eyes new taro market after American Samoa ban

The ban came after news of an unidentified disease affecting taro in some areas of the Samoan island of Upolu.

Tests have been ordered and samples sent to Germany.

RNZI reports the American Samoan Director of Agriculture Filifaatali Mike Fuiava said the ban will be in place until the test results are received.

Last month, Samoa's Agriculture Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leauatea Polataivao Fosi pointed out that taro from Samoa was still accepted in the United States, New Zealand, Australia and other parts of the world, proving that Samoa taro was good enough.