Squash exporter ships good yield for 2008 [1]
Monday, October 27, 2008 - 19:31. Updated on Thursday, September 11, 2014 - 14:43.
Tonga's largest squash exporter, Nishi Trading Company Ltd., is targeting to export a total of 1,200 tonnes of squash to Japan and South Korea, a slight increase from their 900 plus tonnes exported last year.
Minolu Nishi, the Director and owner of the export company, remains confident in the squash market and Tonga's squash exports - unlike other local export companies who have folded over the past year.
He said his company's first two shipments to Japan and South Korea left last week with 793 tonnes, with 586 tonnes for Japan and the rest for South Korea. Nishi's last shipment will leave later this week.
The company is expected to be the largest exporter this year after planting over 100 kilos of seeds in over 300 acres at various plots in Lafalafa, Piula, Vaini, Tokomolo and Hu'atolitoli in Tongatapu.
Good yields
Minolu said at this point of time they had not confirmed the price for their squash.
"This is because the market price will depend on the squash supply from Hokkaido, Japan's major supplier; if their supply is high then demand for ours will be low but if supply is low it will be high for us. But we are not worried because we have maintained good yields," he said.
As an exporter Minolu's minimum annual exports over the years has remained at 900 tonnes.
"Some have commented that squash exports are bad, but these are people who do not know anything about the squash business because I have been doing it for years and it is fine, but you must know how to operate and maintain it well," he said.
There were over 10 export companies in Tonga over last few years but now only four are left operating, including Nishi.
"The reason these companies have collapsed is because they basically did not know how to run the business while some had major debts to pay," he said.
Tonga's total squash exports for last year was less than 5,000 tonnes.