A local company known as Tropical Crisps could have its products sold in Australia by the end of the year, once a distributor is finalised.
<script async src="http://www.samoaobserver.ws///pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>
<!-- ads-articles(24.03.14) -->
<ins class="adsbygoogle"
style="display:inline-block;width:336px;height:280px"
data-ad-client="ca-pub-9419815128221199"
data-ad-slot="2395638412"></ins>
<script>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>
The company was one of thirty local manufacturers and exporters who took part in a Trade Show in Sydney, Australia, last week. It was organised by the Samoa Association of Manufacturers and Exports (S.A.M.E) and the government.
Since 2012, Tropical Crisps has manufactured taro chips in BBQ and Salted flavours at 45 gram and more recently, 150 gram packets.
For Managing Director, Tanya Ott, the Trade Fair in Australia proved to be a positive one. “It was a success in terms of the fact that there was a lot of interest,” she said.
“We were able to increase awareness and it was attended by a lot of Samoans and Pacific islanders.
Mrs.Ott returned with a list of potential distributors.
For now though, they are opting for one, depending on price negotiations.
That company would be responsible for distributing the chips in different states in Australia.
“We didn’t expect so much interest,” she said.
The company was inspired by Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi’s constant encouragement for Samoans to plant and grow crops.
“So we thought we would plant and produce it here.”
And despite the competition, the Otts have noticed an increase in local sales over time.
But manufacturing chips comes with its challenges. Sometimes, there is not enough taro to meet the demand.
Tropical Crisps normally needs 500 kilogrammes of taro per daily production.
“Sometimes, there is not enough,” she said. “I guess our suppliers don’t realise the quantity we produce.”
Another factor is because taro is not produced in huge scale, it is often expensive.
This has left the Otts to plant their own taro to supplement when the demand is high.
The company has been exporting their chips to Rarotonga since last year.
<!-- 336x280 (bottom-article) -->
<ins class="adsbygoogle"
style="display:inline-block;width:336px;height:280px"
data-ad-client="ca-pub-2469982834957525"
data-ad-slot="1033882026"></ins>
<script>
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
</script>{/googleAds}