8 Feb 2012

Samoa eyes central produce export place in Auckland

5:56 pm on 8 February 2012

Samoa's agriculture minister says talks are being held to set up a base in Auckland to centralise the country's produce exports.

Le Mamea Ropati says the discussions involve Samoa's trade commissioner in New Zealand and the consul in Auckland.

He says this is not only taro, but also coconuts, drinking coconuts and any other crops.

Le Mamea says one aim is to remove the middle man who controls the prices.

He says Fiji exporters, who hold 95 percent of the taro market in New Zealand, have lowered their price to 80 US cents a kilo, now that they know Samoa has started to develop exports again.