TONGA expects to start exporting more vegetables to New Zealand in September, including chilli pepper and eggplants to be followed by fruits such as watermelon, pawpaw and mangoes in season.

The CEO of Tonga's Growers Federation Viliami Tiseni said on August 10 they were happy that Tonga's heat treatement plant is finally up and running again so that more Tongan produce could be exported to New Zealand.

Tonga's only High Temperature Plant situated at the Fua'amotu Domestic Airport had resumed operation in May and treated Tonga's first shipment of breadfruits to New Zealand in years. Eight tonnes of breadfruit were exported to New Zealand by airfreight and growers were paid 60 seniti per kilo.

The plant, which arrived in Tonga in the 1990's had ceased operation due to problems, and it was not until earlier this year that the New Zealand Government offered assistance to fix it so that it could be re-certified.

1000 kilos eggplant

He said that more Tongan vegetables such as chilli pepper and eggplants had already been sowed.They were targeting to export not less than 1,000 kilos of eggplants a fortnight and around 200 kilos of chilli on a weekly basis.

The heat plant that kills pests found in produce with a maximum heat of up to 47 degrees and maximum time of 20 minutes.

Viliami said the growers were also targeting to export pawpaw, breadfruit and mangoes next year to New Zealand. The plant can treat avocado, mangoes, pawpaw, breadfruit, chilli, beans and others. However, tomatoes have yet to be tested to see how it withstands the heat treatment.

"We are happy that the plant is running for our exports and we are targeting to export quality produce in a consistent manner," said Viliami.

He added that some Tongan produce is seasonal like the mangoes and breadfruit, so they were hoping for a good season

All vegetables and fruits are airfreighted to retain their freshness and quality.

Fumigation Plant

In the meantime, a fumigation plant from Australia is expected to arrive in Tonga next week.

Viliami said they expected their first shipment of Tongan watermelons for New Zealand to leave either on August 30 or in the first week of September.

He said they are targeting to export at least one container of watermelons and the first go may contain 11 tonnes.