Kimble Chung, a well-known ginger exporter from Suva, has accused the Fiji Fresh Ginger Exporters Association of hindering his attempts to export ginger to the United States. In a report published by The Fiji Times on October 2, 1989, Mr. Chung stated that the association pressured Burns Philp Shipping, the shipping company, to prevent the transport of his goods to the US West Coast.
Mr. Chung alleged that the association asked for a new freight rate exceeding $3000, which marks a significant rise from the standard $2800. He also claimed that his ginger is set to be stored on the deck rather than in the hold, which could affect its quality.
“I send my ginger to smaller buyers, but they want me to ship to larger buyers who demand at least 200,000 pounds,” Mr. Chung mentioned. “The company (BP Shipping) is supposed to send a container today.”
This issue is not new for Mr. Chung, who has faced challenges with the association before. He indicated that the association is trying to direct his shipments to larger buyers, which conflicts with his strategy to cater to smaller ones.
Chung’s Trading, his business based in Vatuwaqa, has nearly 2000 cartons of ginger ready for export, with a total shipment value of approximately $27,000. Mr. Chung sources ginger not only from his own farm in Namara but also collaborates with other local farmers.
He expressed concerns that the association’s actions may be designed to safeguard established buyers while limiting opportunities for new exporters. Previously, Mr. Chung had issues with payments from some buyers, which led him to refuse further shipments to them.
Despite these challenges, Mr. Chung remains committed to continuing his export operations and overcoming the obstacles posed by the association.