Selling green coconuts by the roadside in Nadi has proven to be a lucrative venture for Peni Namulo and Sailasa Kaitani, who have been in this business for 14 years. Mr. Namulo, 37, emphasizes that their work extends beyond mere commerce; they provide a health benefit to the community by offering fresh coconut juice, which has become a preferred remedy for many.
He shared that a significant portion of their clientele includes individuals suffering from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) or those recovering from hospital stays. Many customers arrive with empty bottles to fill up with coconut juice, expressing that it serves as a vital component of their healing process. The demand particularly skews towards coconuts with minimal meat, as consumers primarily seek to hydrate with the juice.
Mr. Namulo takes pride in the positive impact they have had, noting the gratitude expressed by returning customers who credit the coconut juice for better health outcomes. Initially, he observed changing customer demographics, with tourists and Indo-Fijians being the primary buyers, but there has since been an uptick in interest from the iTaukei community.
The price of green coconuts ranges from $4 to $5 each, and Mr. Namulo discusses how they regularly secure substantial sales from local hotels and resorts in the area. On a good day, they can earn over $100, with bulk orders sometimes reaching between 200 and 300 coconuts, and a recent peak saw them fulfilling an order of 1,000 coconuts in a single day.
This story illustrates the entrepreneurial spirit and community connection that roadside vendors can foster, all while also promoting health and wellness through the consumption of natural products. It’s heartening to see local businesses thrive by addressing both economic and health needs in their communities.
In short, Namulo and Kaitani’s coconut stand not only provides a source of income but also contributes significantly to the health of their customers, embodying a model of successful, community-focused entrepreneurship.
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