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, Mr. Chung stated that the association pressured Burns Philp Shipping to decline transportation of his ginger to the U.S. West Coast.
Mr. Chung revealed that the association insisted on a new freight rate exceeding $3000, which is a notable increase from the regular charge of $2800. He also expressed concerns that his ginger would be stored on deck instead of in the hold, which could jeopardize its quality.
“I sell my ginger to small buyers, but they want me to supply larger buyers who require at least 200,000 pounds,” Mr. Chung commented, noting that BP Shipping is expected to send a container today.
This situation is not new for Mr. Chung, who has faced similar challenges with the association in the past. He indicated that the association is trying to direct his shipments to larger buyers that meet their minimum requirement, despite his preference for catering to smaller clients.
Chung’s Trading, located in Vatuwaqa, currently has nearly 2000 cartons of ginger ready for export, with the shipment valued at around $27,000. Besides harvesting from his own farm in Namara, he also purchases ginger from other local producers.
He speculated that the association’s tactics are designed to protect established buyers and limit opportunities for new exporters. Mr. Chung has dealt with payment problems from certain customers, leading him to halt further shipments to them. Nevertheless, he remains committed to continuing his export endeavors despite the challenges posed by the association.