From Matangi Tonga Magazine Vol. 14, no. 3, July 1999.

Japan could become a big importer of Tongan vanilla, according to Sitalini Naufahu of the Zuvva Import and Export Co. Ltd, in Nuku‘alofa.

In August Sitalini made two trial shipments of a ton each to Japan, "they like Tongan vanilla because it was grown organically. They are specific on curing and packaging, and we are complying with their demands. We are hopeful that they will buy more Tongan vanilla," he said.

Sitalini was confident that he could meet the requirements of the Japanese market. They were buying cured vanilla at $50 per kilo, an increase of $25 dollars from the price a few months ago. "I want to encourage the Vava‘u vanilla growers to go back and look after their plantations becuase they can still make a lot of money.

"The growers will earn more than me, and this is important because if the growers are not happy then I will have nothing to export. But to get a good price they must look after their plantations."