Minister for Agriculture and Waterways, Vatimi Rayalu has praised the progress made by New Valley Processors (Fiji) Pte Ltd, a newly registered agri-processing and export business based in Sabeto, Nadi.

During an on-site visit, Minister Rayalu commended the company for embracing value addition as a strategic step toward transforming Fiji’s agricultural export landscape.

“I must commend your company for taking that leap of faith and moving in a totally new direction,” he said. “I hope that with the support rendered, you will be able to thrive in the coming years.”

New Valley Processors, while officially registered recently, has been operating since 2012 as a farmer cluster group focused on produce aggregation. In 2023, the company transitioned into a full-fledged exporter, with a renewed emphasis on innovation, local value creation, and product development.

CEO Navi Tuivuniwai expressed gratitude to the ministry for its timely support, noting that government backing has played a critical role in enabling the company to move beyond conventional bulk exports.

“We’re now focused on innovative processing to ensure farmers benefit from higher-value products,” he said. “Guided by our slogan, ‘Markets Beyond Markets,’ we aim to connect smallholder farmers in remote areas; especially in Ra and Navosa – with new economic opportunities.”

The company is investing in modern processing technology to extract high-value compounds from local crops for global markets. According to Mr. Tuivuniwai, this will ensure better returns for farmers and promote smarter, more sustainable agri-export models.

The visit concluded with a site inspection of the company’s new processing facility under construction in Sabeto.