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The Solomon Islands’ downstream coconut industry is set to expand with Australia investing in a new state-of-the-art processing plant on the island of Siamdarcanal, operated by Islands’ Own.
Islands’ Own is a local company that processes and produces a range of products using coconuts sourced from local farmers. Australia has been investing in Islands’ Own through its private sector program, Strongim Bisnis, since 2022 to meet the growing demand for value-added products in the coconut industry.
Islands’ Own receives large orders for shredded coconut and coconut milk every year from major retailers Bulkshop and Hot Bread Kitchen, both of which have also announced their intention to source coconut products exclusively from Islands’ Own and cease all imports.
To increase production to meet these orders, Australia is assisting Islands’ Own in building and commissioning a new coconut collection and processing centre at Visalay on Guadalcanal Island.
Australian High Commission Economic Advisor Emily Flahive and Islands’ Own’s Ezra Tan recently visited the Islands’ Own processing plant in Ranadi.
Strategically located between the coconut plantations in Lambie and the company’s main processing plant in Honiara, the factory will enhance the company’s processing and packaging capabilities for coconut products and boost local employment.
We will upgrade our coconut processing equipment and procure diesel generators, off-grid solar systems and battery-powered forklifts to ensure efficient and environmentally friendly operations.
Australian High Commission staff inspect coconut by-products processed by Islands’ Own.
Once the Visale plant is operational, Islands’ Own expects to double its workforce from the current 18 to around 40 people.
Australia’s High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands, His Excellency Rod Hilton, has commended the extension of the cooperation agreement with Islands’ Own to strengthen the local coconut industry.
“The coconut processing plant on Guadalcanal will enable Islands’ Own to increase production of high-quality coconut products to meet the needs of domestic and export markets, create more jobs and boost the local economy in the Solomon Islands,” said Mr Hilton.
As the Visale factory is closer to coconut farmers, transportation costs are expected to be reduced.
Farmers will also see increased income from increased coconut harvesting and sales.
Once the processing centre is operational, Islands’ Own aims to expand its weekly coconut purchases from 30,000 to 40,000.
Islands’ Own’s Ezra Tan is enthusiastic about the company’s new phase of expansion, with support from the Australian Government through Strongim Bisnis.
Mr Tan said: “The new processing plant in Visale will not only streamline and increase our production capacity, but will also strengthen ties with the coconut-growing communities.”
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– Australian High Commission
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