SOLOMON ISLANDS: Exporting Canned Tuna To The European Market Soon

Solomon Islands will begin to export canned tuna to the European market soon.

This follows last week’s signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Soltai Fishing & Processing Company and Tri Marine International.

Soltai is the country’s sole canned tuna producers and exporters while Tri Marine is a major supplier of tuna and processed tuna products to Europe.

Under the terms of the MOU, Tri Marine will supply Soltai with the necessary equipment to process tuna into catering sized cans for the European market.

Soltai Managing Director Milton Sibisopere said the MOU also provides for an increase in the production of tuna loins for the European market.

“Under a current agreement, Soltai has been producing loins for the European market since 2004,” Mr Sibisopere said. “The reintroduction of canned tuna products for Europe and the increase in loin production will see Soltai increasing its processing significantly during 2006, with further increases in production envisaged as logistical constraints are overcome.”

He said most of the raw material for processing into loins and cans will be supplied by National Fisheries Development (NFD), a local company fully owned by Tri Marine.

Mr Sibisopere thanked Tri Marine for demonstrating confidence in Soltai, adding he looks forward to working closely with Tri Marine to ensure the project will be successful.