PNG vanilla prices to be steady over the next two (2) years

Acting Secretary for Agriculture Francis Daink said with confidence that the current prices of vanilla may hold for the next two years.

He said this amidst rising confidence coming out of world number one Madagascar as it recovers from and large downturn in production over the last three years.
He said quality remains the major factor as PNG took on the opportunity to meet supply in the place of world number one Madagascar’s misfortunes in production falls.

“I would like to reiterate on the quality of the product, the price of vanilla shot up because the biggest producer in the world, Madagascar, has some problems with their droughts and we see that it is going to be maintained for another two years,’’ he said.
“The assurance I have got from the reports that is coming in is that we will still maintain that high price for the next two years.

“We need to make sure that the quality is paramount and it is the responsibility of every sector from the department all the way to the provinces.”
In making reference to provinces, he thanked the government for its allocation in 2018 of K2 million which has gone into the establishment of the new board, currently taking place, and other programs set for delivery.

He said assistance has been rendered to the East Sepik Provincial Administration as the major production hub currently in the country.
“In terms of the quality control, the training, they have engaged NARI to go and do that quality extension program for them so that people are aware of how in terms of the processing and production and marketing as well,’’ he said.

“A lot of the products are marketed at the border which is restricted and that is something that we expected some form of funding from request from the Sandaun Provincial Administration, but it did not come, but we will assist them next year in terms of maintaining the check points at Wutung at the border so that at least that illegal trading is not done there.

“We have also assisted Madang provincial administration in terms of vanilla also assisted NARI in terms of funding in terms of maintaining root stocks for us so that farmers can get the good quality root stocks from NARI.
“So we continue to maintain the vanilla industry in this country.”

Source: Post Courier newspaper