VCCE pays VT30M weekly to copra and cocoa farmers

December 22, 2025 9:54 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

By Hilaire Bule.

The recent increase in copra prices on the world market has boosted local production in islands traditionally known for their copra plantations.

These islands include Malekula, Ambae, Santo, Aore, and Malo.

Manager of Vanuatu Copra & Cocoa Exporters (VCC) Ltd at Litzlitz Wharf on Malekula, Arnold Theuil, said he has observed an increase in copra production since the price rose to VT93,000 per ton.

He said he now pays farmers more than VT30 million per week for copra and cocoa.

Malekula hosts Vanuatu’s largest cocoa plantation, Metenesel, alongside many small-scale farms.

Mr. Theuil said the company provides transport for farmers, but their capacity cannot serve everyone, and many farmers must bring their produce to Litzlitz Wharf. He said that at present, 1,070 tons of copra are at the dock, with farmers queuing daily to deliver their product.

The last export from Litzlitz Wharf was 500 tons in November 2025.

Mr. Theuil said an export was planned for this month, but the ship was already in Luganville.

Reports from Vao and Atchin yesterday said that since the increase in copra prices, plantations have been cleared and people are busy every day preparing copra for Christmas and New Year 2026. Malekula has one of the largest coconut plantations at Caroline Bay and the PRV plantation at Norsup.

Farmers have appealed to the Department of Biosecurity to implement an effective programme to control Coconut Rhinoceros Beetles (CRBs), saying that copra is their main source of income. Kava does not grow in this part of Malekula; it is only cultivated in North West and South Malekula.

VCCE in Luganville said they exported 1,300 tonnes to the Philippines this month and still have a good quantity at their dock. Reports from Port Olry in East Santo said that both men and women are motivated by the increased price of copra. The village of Port Olry has a large plantation and became the first village in Vanuatu to operate a copra mill generating electricity. Copra and cattle remain the main sources of revenue for the people of Port Olry.

Reports from West Ambae said people have cleared their coconut and cocoa plantations and that ships have been busy over the past weeks. The only challenge is that young people lack experience in making copra after years of low prices and following the last volcanic eruption on Ambae.

Reports also noted that plantations have produced again this year after more than 11,000 people were evacuated to other islands. Many have not returned to Ambae, choosing to settle on Santo instead, which has reduced overall copra production compared to previous years.

Known as the “tree of life,” the coconut has always played a central role in local livelihoods, and copra has been and will remain a key source of income for the people of Vanuatu.