Australia Strengthens Cocoa Production and Market Access in Malaita

Local company LF & Sons Enterprises has announced it will expand its cocoa supply and improve market access to support the livelihoods of residents in remote areas of Malaita. The largest cocoa buyer in Malaita will partner with Australia for the first time to increase exports and strengthen its supply chain in the remote northeast and Foia regions.

LF & Sons, a local business established in 1997, has grown from a small cocoa buyer to become the largest in Malaita and the sixth-largest exporter in the Solomon Islands, exporting 290,000 kilograms of cocoa in 2023 alone. His Excellency Rod Hilton, the Australian High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands, stated that this collaboration is crucial in addressing the key challenges facing the Malaita cocoa industry.

High Commissioner Hilton said, "Australia is partnering with LF & Sons to build a more resilient and sustainable supply chain to ensure farmers have more reliable market access and create economic opportunities for communities that may be overlooked." LF & Sons sources cocoa beans from a broad network of local farmers, providing them with stable market access, particularly those in remote areas where transportation and logistics costs often prevent them from reaching buyers.

The new partnership will support them in expanding their cocoa trade to reach more farmers in remote areas and increase the frequency of collections in the northeast and Foia regions to one to three times per week. Additionally, the collaboration will expand LF & Sons' storage facilities in Gwanasu Village and implement a comprehensive farm rejuvenation program to increase cocoa production. This stability in cocoa purchasing will help stabilize prices and alleviate some of the logistical challenges of sourcing from remote areas.

A technical advisor will also work closely with the LF & Sons team and local farmers to provide training in sustainable farming and management techniques. Levi Firualea, Managing Director of LF & Sons Enterprises, expressed his gratitude for Australia's support and emphasized the importance of this investment for local farmers. Mr. Firualea said, "LF & Sons has long been committed to supporting cocoa growers in Malaita, and this partnership will enable us to include more remote communities in our network."

"We believe that providing stable market access and quality support will enhance farmers' confidence in investing in cocoa, which will improve livelihoods and build a sustainable cocoa industry in Malaita," added Mr. Firualea.