Growing demand for locally farmed quail eggs and meat

February 26, 2025 9:55 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

By Adorina Massing and Harry Attison.

Vanuatu’s only dedicated quail farmer, Reaply Tjiobang, began with two birds and now manages thousands to successfully build a thriving business supplying quail meat and eggs.

He faced many struggles with market limitations and lack of support but now sells to an increasing customer base at Boucherie Traverso and from his farm at Le Lagoon number 2.

His journey highlights the importance of supporting local agriculture, the nutritional benefits of quail products, and the potential for further market expansion.

Mr Tijobang was originally part of a group of six, but others dropped out due to lack of support, but he has thrived due to his 20 years of experience in poultry farming.

“I was inspired when purchasing quail in Australian supermarkets when I lived there for six years and when I decided to start a farm back in Vanuatu,’’ he said.

“I was however faced with legal and logistical challenges in importing the quails back home.

“They instructed me get a permit which would allow me to import a dozen quail eggs but for VT600,000, but it is too costly for me.”

Tijobang returned home and hoped for a miracle. Luck came when he heard news from the Department of Livestock to allow him to sell quails.

“Four years ago, I eventually started my quail farm, I had to walk door to door and advertise my products, especially to offices of Government Ministries.

“It was a long journey but now I am managing my own farm with thousands of quails and weekly production sales.

“We manage around 1500 layers which produces around 1000 eggs daily and while our broiler stock fluctuates, we recently hatched 800. Overall, we have around 1000 ready for sale.

“At first, it would normally take us two weeks to sell out 20 packages of eggs at the supermarket, now it sells out in one week.

“A package of 30 eggs costs VT500 and a quail (cooked or raw) is VT500. Over the period of December and January we managed to sell 7000 quails.

“We would get some complaints about the bird’s small proportions, but we need people to understand that they are locally grown, not imported from overseas,”he said.

He personally markets and creates his own branding and packaging, plus also exports all his farm equipment from China, including cages, processing machines and feeders.

In terms of diet and production, Tijobang said the quails eat chicken feed due to a lack of specialized feed, which also affects egg production.

“For nutritional benefits, quail meat has higher protein than chicken, and a single quail egg has the same protein as a chicken egg.”

He encouraged other farmers and local businesses to continue to support local products over unsafe imports from overseas.

Traverso Butchery staff, Leticia Delaveou, said quail eggs and meat are gaining popularity among both locals and foreigners, with many purchasing them at their supermarket.

“Priced at VT750 per package of 30 eggs, around 25-26 packages are stocked weekly, delivered directly by the farmer.

“A box of four fully processed quails’ costs VT,2950.

“He personally handles packaging and distribution, reinforcing support for local businesses as customer demand continues to grow.”