The Ministry of Fisheries and Forestry has successfully developed the farming and sale of Mabe pearls, turning them into a luxury product sold in Jack’s of Fiji.
While delivering her ministerial statement in Parliament this morning, Minister for Fisheries, Alitia Bainivalu says that with the support of the Australia Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), the Ministry has successfully established the Fiji mabe pearl value chain.
She says that they have successfully established a partnership whereby community farms produce mabe pearls which are then processed and sold at Jack’s Fiji to position them as a luxury brand.
She adds that Fiji’s mabe pearls are being sold at Jack’s of Fiji outlets in tourist areas such as Nadi, Denarau, Ba, and in several major hotels.
Bainivalu explained that Mabe pearls grow on half-spherical beads attached inside oyster shells and take about a year to develop, and are commonly used in jewellery such as earrings and pendants.
She says a study conducted by the Ministry in partnership with ACIAR on the value chain of the Fiji pearl industry confirmed that around $8 million worth of pearl handicraft items are imported into Fiji each year.
The Minister says six community-based mabe pearl farms have already been established and are operating.
She says four new farms have been implanted with mabe pearl beads, bringing the total to 10.
She adds that a farm can consist of 200 to 300 pearl oyster shells, with an estimated value of between $8,000 and $10,000 that can be earned per community-based farm in one cycle.
The Minister also says that the government has provided equipment such as boats and engines to support pearl farmers.
Opposition Member Semi Koroilavesau praised the initiative, saying that the Fisheries Ministry has strengthened its support for farming.
He congratulated the Minister for securing access to sell these pearls through premium retail chains, saying that this would ensure that mabe pearls produced in Fiji are marketed locally to tourists and to overseas markets.
He also encouraged other communities to enter this sector and take advantage of the benefits.
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