Post-COVID startup now driving growth in agriculture and energy
October 1, 2025 10:15 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook
By Ezra Toara.
Vanuatu Basket, established in 2020 in response to the economic impacts of COVID-19, has grown into a leading player in the nation’s agricultural and value-adding sectors.
From its inception, the company aligned its strategy with government policies in agriculture, environment, energy, and value addition, aiming to support farmers and strengthen the national economy.
A central part of this vision was the creation of the Van Basket coconut mill, designed to provide local farmers with a reliable domestic market for their copra.
By adding value locally, the company works to stabilise the agricultural sector and contribute to economic growth.
In 2024, Vanuatu Basket welcomed a new shareholder, the CNO Future Fund, which committed to a five-year plan focused on commercializing the supply chain and stabilizing island-based production.
The company says this partnership has enabled expansion and delivered positive impacts for families and communities across the country.
One long-term goal is to produce coconut oil that could replace diesel in power generation, in line with Vanuatu’s green energy policies. Vanuatu Basket says it is actively investing to make this vision a reality.
The company’s main product is refined coconut oil, but it also produces copra meal, an important domestic feed alternative for pigs, horses, chickens, and cattle. Recently, Vanuatu Basket showcased its products at the Department of Trade’s Vanuatu Made trade show, joining other local businesses in promoting innovation and quality.
Currently, Vanuatu Basket produces more than 250,000 litres of coconut oil each month.
Its exports reach Malaysia and Australia, with emerging markets in New Caledonia, Fiji, and New Zealand.
Locally, the company focuses on offering a healthier alternative to imported cooking oil, with full refinery operations expected to resume by the end of 2025.
The company has steadily expanded its copra purchasing network, now including farmers from Ambrym, Epi, Malekula, Santo, Malo, Gaua, and other islands. It has partnered with the Department of Biosecurity in Santo to combat the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle and recently established a coconut and cocoa nursery in Malekula to support replanting initiatives.
As part of its commitment to farmers, Vanuatu Basket will host its second annual Farmers’ Appreciation Day on October 9 at the PRV in Norsup, Malekula.
The event acknowledges the dedication and hard work of farmers and agents sustaining the coconut industry.
Vanuatu Basket describes the coconut as one of the nation’s most valuable resources. By processing and refining copra locally, the company seeks to strengthen the economy and support sustainable initiatives, including renewable energy programs.
The journey has not been without challenges. Following the December 2024 earthquake, Vanuatu Basket faced setbacks but prioritized quick recovery. As the country’s only consistently operating coconut oil mill, the company worked with contractors throughout the holiday period to repair facilities, allowing production to restart by February 2025. Importantly, there were no delays in purchasing copra from its farmer network.
Looking ahead, Vanuatu Basket plans further expansion, with new oil mills envisioned for Santo and Malekula. With the backing of the Future Fund and the resilience shown through recent challenges, the company remains committed to supporting farmers, creating local opportunities, and building a sustainable future for Vanuatu.
