Results for Agriculture

The first shipment of Tongan squash for Japan for 2004 is expected to leave Nuku'alofa in early October, but this year the Tonga Squash Council takes control of the Squash Industry, and is setting a maximum of 16,500 tonnes for export.

The Tonga Development Bank will allocate a $2.5 million fund to be made available for loans to squash growers this year, according to the bank's Commercial Loans Manager, Simi Sefanaia.

Tonga’s annual squash exports for Japan could reach 20,000 tonnes, but people in the industry in November were predicting the price will plummet this year to a disappointing low of between 20 and 15 seniti per kilo. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 18, no. 3, December 2003.

The Tongan Squash Exporters' Council is seeking a $6 million loan for the purpose of compensating squash growers who were hurt by low returns from their sale of squash to Japan this year.

Tonga's annual squash exports for Japan could reach 20,000 tonnes, but people in the industry are predicting the price will plummet this year to a disappointing low of between 20 and 15 seniti per kilo.

Tonga imports $6 million worth of vegetables annually to meet demand, a surprising amount for a country with an annual trade deficit of about $90 million, which has its main export strength in agricultural produce. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 18, no. 2, August 2003.

BioTechnology can be used to produce new products from Tonga’s agriculture and fisheries, and it may help Tonga maintain its claim to niche markets that it has initiated in Japan, said Dr Kyosuke Owa, a Japanese scientist working for the Nano Merchandise Development Co. Ltd. in Nuku’alofa. From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 15, no. 3, September 2000.