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By Alfred Pagepitu
The Commodity Export Marketing Authority (CEMA) of the Philippines has condemned reports that farmers are picking unripe cocoa beans to local buyers.
The news comes after it was revealed that farmers in parts of North Malaita were selling immature cocoa beans to buyers.
Our special correspondent in the region, John Andrew Keary, reports that the action may be due to the current high prices for cocoa beans, which are tempting farmers to pick unripe cocoa fruits.
In response, George Tuki of the Canadian Agricultural Marketing Administration’s operations and field division called on farmers to immediately stop the practice.
Mr Tuke said the practice was worrying as it would affect the quality of products exported to international markets.
Due to the high prices, many farmers resort to picking immature pods, not fermenting the beans properly, or even soaking the pods in water or placing them in rice bags for days before selling them to local buyers.
“All these practices must stop. CEMA wants to ensure that good quality cocoa is produced so that it can access better markets.”
“This practice must not happen again as it would exclude Solomon Islands from the world market, leaving the country with no other options to sell its coffee beans.”
CEMA inspectors will conduct spot checks, especially at terminals and exporters’ outlets, to investigate and detect such practices.
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