Fiji’s coffee industry is set for a revitalization as Australia’s esteemed ONA Coffee has announced its establishment in the country. Investment Fiji shared that ONA Coffee aims to harness the potential of wild coffee species that naturally grow in Fiji, with the added goal of benefiting local communities through partnerships with farmers and implementing sustainable practices.
Currently focusing on sourcing two of Fiji’s four known coffee species—Arabica and Liberica—ONA Coffee is collaborating with 31 farmers in Rakiraki, who have wild coffee growing on their lands. Their innovative procurement model plans to purchase coffee beans directly from these farmers. Additionally, ONA Coffee aims to launch a nursery program, distributing around one million seedlings annually to cultivate over 500 acres of premium coffee plantations across the western regions of Fiji.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Trade and the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs, ONA Coffee is working to identify more farms suitable for coffee cultivation. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade Manoa Kamikamica emphasized the importance of connecting smallholder farms to commercial ventures, which would stimulate economic activity in rural areas. Kamal Chetty, CEO of Investment Fiji, noted that ONA Coffee’s initiative marks a transformative opportunity for the local agricultural sector, underscoring the potential for high-value coffee production to drive sustainable development and rural empowerment.
ONA Coffee’s plans also include the establishment of coffee processing facilities in Rakiraki, Taveuni, and Savusavu, as well as running events like the Ra Province Specialty Coffee Tour. This tour will boost awareness of local coffee culture and highlight Fiji’s scenic beauty, aiming to attract both domestic and international attention.
In a broader context, this move aligns with Fiji’s ongoing efforts to diversify its agricultural production and optimize the utilization of its natural resources. Historical articles have pointed out the significance of coffee and cocoa in Fiji, particularly as the government seeks to learn from past agricultural downturns to create sustainable practices that promote economic growth.
As Fiji’s potential within the specialty coffee market increases, the establishment of ONA Coffee heralds an encouraging future for both farmers and the overall economy, providing hope for a self-sustainable agricultural landscape that supports local communities and fosters international interest.
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