Cathliro Commodities, a women-led and locally owned cocoa producer and exporter in Solomon Islands, was officially handed over a food dehydrator machine on Friday 13 September 2024.

The new equipment, funded by the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations (PACER) Plus Work Programme, is set to enhance the company's capacity to process and export value-added cocoa products and dried fruits, both domestically and internationally.

Diana Yates (far left), Cathliro Commodities founder, with Collin Beck (second from left), Permanent Secretary of Solomon Islands' Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade at the dehydrator handover along with Natalia Patternot (third from left), Director of Department of External Trade and Tristein Zutu, PACER Plus National Coordinator Solomon Islands.

Cathliro Commodities, founded by Ms. Diana Yates, has been at the forefront of cocoa farming in the country. The company operates on a 99.9-hectare cocoa farm and works closely with local farmers, purchasing cocoa beans for processing and export. Recently, Cathliro has diversified into value-added chocolate products and expanded its operations to include dried fruits such as pineapple, banana, pawpaw, and mango.

Speaking at the equipment handover ceremony, Solomon Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade (MFAET) Permanent Secretary Mr. Collin Beck, highlighted the importance of supporting local producers like Cathliro Commodities.

"Cathliro's progress shows the potential of Solomon Islands' agricultural sector, not only to enhance food security but also to build wealth from within, allowing out growers to integrate meaningfully within the formal economy.

"So, we call on everyone to drink more locally produced cocoa disks, purchase more cocoa powder for your baking needs and support our local producers. The food dehydrator will enable Cathliro to maintain and further expand production levels of cocoa," said Mr. Beck.

Mr. Beck highlighted that MFAET recognises the important role of the private sector organisations such as Cathliro in contributing to cocoa development for Solomon Islands alongside its network of almost 200 farmers in Guadalcanal, Isabel, and Makira Provinces.

Cathliro Commodities is a women-led and locally owned cocoa producer and exporter in Solomon Islands.

He commends Cathliro Commodities for their success in forging connections with new foreign markets for Solomon Islands cacao and downstream processing of their products. He encouraged Solomon Islanders to drink more local cocoa as a substitute to foreign beverage to assist in promoting local businesses like Cathliro Commodities.

Ms. Diana Yates, founder of Cathliro Commodities, expressed her excitement at the new opportunities the equipment brings.

"This support from PACER Plus is a big win for us. We've been working hard to grow our business and help local farmers, but this equipment will allow us to diversity our products, especially for boutique markets overseas and to ensure sustainability in our operations, whatever the weather may be, expanding drying technique capabilities by a larger volume," said Ms. Yates.

The dehydrator machine will help the company increase the volume of processed cocoa products, including cocoa paste, cocoa nibs, cocoa powder, cocoa tea and fruity chocolate bars, in addition to dried fruits.

The funding of the food dehydrator aligns with PACER Plus's Development and Economic Cooperation Work Programme, which aims to promote regional integration and trade development of the parties, including promotion of the participation of women, youth, and marginalised groups in trade and economic activities.

Mr. Roy Lagolago, Head of the PACER Plus Implementation Unit, highlighted the regional significance of supporting SMEs to strengthen trade.

"PACER Plus exists to help businesses like Cathliro to overcome barriers to trade and access new markets. This equipment will enable them to improve the quality of their products and meet the necessary requirements for international export. By empowering businesses in Solomon Islands, PACER Plus also ensures that trade benefits extend across communities in the Pacific," said Mr. Lagolago.

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