Nine Pacific island countries including Fiji who are members of the ACP grouping are discussing plans for their coconut industry in order to access close to $8 million funding from the European Union.

The Pacific Coconut Project is being put together by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community to help the region revitalize its coconut industry – a challenge many islands face.

SPC’s Tree Crop Agriculture – Business Officer Tevita Kete says the countries are finalizing their coconut industry status and needs so they can access the funding.

“We want to hear from the countries what are their gaps, how this project will be able to assist them, even though it is not a big sum to cater for everybody’s needs and all the problems that we face. But, at least we want to use this as a catalyst for growth.”

SPC says the market opportunity for coconut has grown substantially in the last few years and it wants the local industry in the Pacific to have a piece of that pie.