The potential for tropical fruits production in Tonga - A feasibility and constraints analysis

• Ministry of Agriculture, Food, Forestry and Fisheries, Tonga

Tonga is heavily dependent on fruit imports and relies on very few agricultural products for export income. The country's tropical climate and its highly productive soils suit tropical fruit production, but currently there is no 'commercial' fruit orchard that could supply fruits for domestic and tourist consumption and replace imports. This feasibility study investigated Tonga's fruit market characteristics, seeking to gauge current and potential demand, and identifying the marketing and market access issues associated with potential export markets. The survey also documented potential alternative tropical fruit crops and compiled a list of production technologies that the industry would require.

The survey team affirmed that, given its favourable climatic and physical conditions and its relative abundance of suitable land, Tonga appeared to have a comparative advantage in tropical fruit production. The kingdom's geographic position relative to New Zealand and Australia was also an advantage.

The team noted that subsistence and part-time growers dominated the tropical fruits sector in Tonga and there was a lack of diversification of tropical fruits and markets that highlights a higher degree of risk associated with earnings. It noted that remoteness of the islands in the group and high costs tended make efficient marketing both within and between the islands difficult.

Tonga's development plans emphasise a developing private sector, advancing agricultural productivity, revitalising export industries such as squash and vanilla bean, and developing tourism. But economic growth must be supported by increased productivity of primary produce, and such increases would require significant levels of investment, improved organisational arrangements, and a skilled and motivated labour force.

Workshop surveys showed the over-riding outcome expected by participants was to increase the long-term income derived from the tropical fruit sector through increasing productivity and improved market access. Productivity and sustainability, in turn, require the adoption of more efficient farming practices and techniques. This is likely to involve knowledge and skills training directly.

Fruit and vegetables are a significant component of the diet of the people of Tonga and could become increasingly important for generating export income. Fruit flies however impose a huge economic drain and cause considerable crop losses. They have undermined the markets for fruits and vegetables, mainly bananas, coconut, papaya, and taro that were previously exported to New Zealand, Australia and Japan, where fruit flies are regarded as a major threat.

Given its low productivity levels, the survey team found significant scope to increase the production of the Tongan fruit industry. Key priorities identified were to improve the prospects of fruit production by introducing new fruit species, replacing fruit imports where appropriate, and to export fruit. In summary, to increase the probability of success in future projects, a number of pertinent issues needed considering:
capacity building and community engagement
product development
increasing domestic markets
importation of new genetic material
demonstration trials to facilitate transfer of technology
information access and development.

The following actions could assist in the economic growth of Tonga:
investing in the people of Tonga through strengthening their knowledge base
fostering commitment from subsistence producers through training and adoption of improved production and postharvest technologies and thereby improving incomes
promoting cooperation and the formation of co-operatives or grower associations, and in so doing supporting and enhancing production of quality produce
enhancing commitment and engagement between agencies, and strengthening partnerships within and between the region.