Santo taro farmers first export to Australia
April 21, 2026 10:06 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook
By Hilaire Bule.
Santo farmers made history last Friday with the first export of a container of water taro to the Melbourne market in Australia.
The Ministry of Trade and Commerce (MOTC) described the shipment as a landmark achievement for farmers, the nation, and Government efforts to open access for root crop exports to Australia. The development forms part of broader trade reforms since Independence.
The achievement implements Government mandate under Council of Ministers (COM) Decision No. 51 of 2025, which tasked the Vanuatu Bureau of Standards (VBS) with establishing and operationalising a National Standard Packhouse System (SPS).
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of VBS, Atanas Pipite, said Vanuatu has now met Australia’s SPS and import requirements, establishing a controlled export pathway for root crops and shifting from informal agricultural exports to a standards-based farm-to-market system.
A national system in action, he said the export brings together institutions across the value chain from production to export.
This includes the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) in farmer coordination, supply preparation, pre-harvest quality control, and traceability from farm level, alongside the packhouse phase and national integration platform led by VBS.
Other agencies involved include the Department of Biosecurity (DOB) for compliance and inspection, Department of Industry (DOI) for value addition and processing alignment, Customs for monitoring handling conditions and export logistics, including temperature and quality control, as well as cooperation with Biosecurity Vanuatu and Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
On the commercial side, Vanuatu has secured a breakthrough following a Memorandum of Understanding with Market Fresh in Melbourne, a wholesale distributor in Australia.
Its export arm, World Best Trading (WBT), has been established in Vanuatu and designated as the official export partner for packhouse products.
CEO Pipite said the model ensures a direct exporter–importer link, full compliance control from origin to destination, and alignment with consumer expectations and biosecurity standards.
At the core of the initiative is a national policy to move farmers from producers to exporters through a structured and sustainable system.
“This is not a one-off shipment. It is the establishment of a long-term export mechanism designed to maintain quality, increase farmer income, and build confidence in international markets,” he said.
Following the first shipment, a technical delegation of directors will travel to Australia next week to engage with counterparts, gather feedback, and refine the system.
The second export is expected next month, alongside the official commissioning of the Santo Packhouse by Prime Minister Jotham Napat.
On arrival of the second shipment in Melbourne, Trade Minister Samson Samsen will formally open the container with his Australian counterpart, marking completion of the end-to-end export pathway from Vanuatu farms to the Australian market.
The export follows the agreement signed between the two countries last year.
Pipite said the initiative represents progress in building direct access to high-value markets, strengthening trade relations with Australia, and generating foreign exchange income for farmers.
Starting in July, VBS will construct packhouses in Pentecost, Malekula and Tanna with a VT300 million budget.
The event in Santo last week was attended by senior national leaders, including Deputy Prime Minister Johnny Koanapo, Minister Samson Samsen, Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry and Biosecurity Ian Wilson, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mark Ati.
Santo farmers are also set to supply 50,000 water taro to the Government later this year.
